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The Sprint, LightSquared Deal is Done
Fifteen Year Deal, According to Falcone Letter

Bloomberg has obtained a letter from billionaire LightSquared backer Philip Falcone to Harbinger Capital Partners confirming the fact that LightSquared has struck a fifteen-year deal with Sprint to share network expansion costs and equipment, and to provide high-speed wireless service to the phone company. We first reported that this deal was being negotiated back in March.

The move by LightSquared pre-heralds Sprint's not-very-secret planned transition from Mobile WiMax to an LTE network, which will involve a significant $4-$5 billion base station retrofit, which involves replacing current network hardware and base stations capable of utilizing multiple bands, including the company's 800 MHz, 1.9 GHz spectrum, 4G 2.5 GHz WiMax, and LTE. From Bloomberg:
quote:
The companies were discussing a deal valued at as much as $20 billion, people familiar with the matter said earlier this month. "LightSquared and Sprint will jointly develop, deploy and operate LightSquared’s 4G LTE network," according to the letter. "Sprint will become a significant customer of LightSquared’s 4G LTE network."
Previous leaks from inside negotiations have suggested that LightSquared will pay Sprint around $2 billion a year to lease access to Sprint's 40,000 base stations. Sprint is expected to officially announce their transition to LTE sometime this summer.
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tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

So GPS is safe again?

This would be a better deal for both then seperate networks, More money for a faster buildout, and abigger user base = more likely to survive.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

No, GPS is in danger again because too much money involved for FCC to turn down Lightsquared rollout. The only hope now is that Lightsquared gets OK to use different spectrum than they planned on using originally. That is the latest rumor - Lightsquared gets OK for different frequencies.

»www.fiercewireless.com/s ··· 11-06-16

Harbinger Capital Partners, the hedge fund backing LightSquared, to bid on different spectrum that would not cause GPS interference, specifically the 20 MHz chunk of MSS spectrum TerreStar owns in the 2 GHz band. Charlie Ergen's Dish Network won the "stalking horse" bid for TerreStar's assets with a $1.375 billion offer, according to bankruptcy court filings. Dish will allow TerreStar to extend the deadline for bids until June 27, with a court-supervised auction set for June 30, one day before the new July 1 deadline LightSquared has to submit the final GPS report.

Harbinger, along with Solus Alternative Asset Management, offered to buy bankrupt DBSD North America, which also holds a 20 MHz block of MSS spectrum adjacent to TerreStar's spectrum. Dish wound up buying DBSD for $1.4 billion. "I'm sure [Harbinger] would be just as interested in that," said BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk. "But can they get it financed?" A Harbinger spokesman declined to comment on whether the company would bid in the TerreStar auction.

Still another course, and the least radical, would be for LightSquared to ask the FCC to allow it to use the lower part of its L-band holdings, which tests indicate caused less interference than the upper portion. Farrar said the company could outfit its network infrastructure with filters and hope that the GPS industry comes up with a technical solution that would allow LightSquared to use the upper portion of its spectrum a few years down the road.

One way or another, Lightsquared is going forward - BET ON IT.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

1 recommendation

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

I'm fine with them going forward with different freq's, and trading their existing freq's with a satellite user as that was what that band was originally intended for.
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

Hughes or WildBlue could use the added spectrum, right?
sonicmerlin
join:2009-05-24
Cleveland, OH

sonicmerlin to tshirt

Member

to tshirt
said by tshirt:

I'm fine with them going forward with different freq's, and trading their existing freq's with a satellite user as that was what that band was originally intended for.

As Sprint's WiMAX service has demonstrated, 2+ GHz spectrum is very unsatisfactory for customers.

Grothendieck
Premium Member
join:2002-07-28
Miami, FL

Grothendieck

Premium Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

Im a Sprint customer going on 2 years now and im a very happy customer.

However, Im disappointed in the 4G service as the only way to get a good signal is to be out in the open streets. You even approach a building or get inside a house and it disconnects etc...

Im not knowledgeable in this topic at all, but I guess this is due to the lack of penetration of the 2+ GHz frequencies?
Expand your moderator at work
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4 to Grothendieck

Member

to Grothendieck

Re: So GPS is safe again?

The service does work in side. They also provide outside antennas for their customers. I'll post a link.

»www.clear.com/profession ··· s/id/435 it's targeted towards business/professional customers but you can obtain that modem on the residential side as well.

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

said by hottboiinnc4:

The service does work in side. They also provide outside antennas for their customers. I'll post a link.

»www.clear.com/profession ··· s/id/435 it's targeted towards business/professional customers but you can obtain that modem on the residential side as well.

I have an antenna and it's still spotty unless I stick it in a window.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

said by Matt3:

said by hottboiinnc4:

The service does work in side. They also provide outside antennas for their customers. I'll post a link.

»www.clear.com/profession ··· s/id/435 it's targeted towards business/professional customers but you can obtain that modem on the residential side as well.

I have an antenna and it's still spotty unless I stick it in a window.

That's generally the rule of thumb for microwaves.
You wouldn't mount a satellite dish inside either.
attenuators include some latex paints, all lead paints (even if it was put on a very long time ago) foil backed insulation, metal (framing, wiring, fasteners, etc.) high effientcy windows, concrete buildings, etc. and ANYTHING with water in it (human parts, plants, fog, cloud, rain, wet snow)
None of these are 100% and all would cause SIMILAR problems for a WLAN except your low powered wireless modem is fairly close, while the clear transmitters are relitively far away and the effective power reaching your device can be totally masked.

A proper mounted window or outdoor with indoor repeater antenna can change your marginal signal to feeling like you live next to the tower. (not as good or secure as a wired solution but pretty damn good.)

DavePR
join:2008-06-04
Canyon Country, CA

DavePR

Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

I get GPS and XM through my roof just fine.
MTB
join:2007-06-29
Newport Beach, CA

MTB to Matt3

Member

to Matt3
THERE IS NO 4G ANTENNA SOLUTION!!!

CDMA yes, 3G yes 4G NO!

The other problem is that there are not enough 4G towers and in my case the 2 towers I have seem to fight each other which results in a new IP and a loss of connection.

Never saw a GPS problem and 4G does work inside. Just because you have CDMA bars does not mean that you have 4G a good 4G signal.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4 to sonicmerlin

Member

to sonicmerlin
Sprint's WiMax network works GREAT in Cleveland. On it right now. And have been for a month.

UFGator
join:2005-08-14
Saint Cloud, FL

UFGator to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
+1...but....the FAA/Military will have the final word. I could definitely see them being moved to another freq due to the current issues with L band.
rahvin112
join:2002-05-24
Sandy, UT

rahvin112

Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

They aren't going to disrupt GPS. The FCC directors would be signing their resignations the day the system went active if they did. They know that. LightSquared has heavy political connections so the FCC has to play the game with them but at the end of the day they will not interfere with GPS. Anyone that thinks that could happen has absolutely no idea how many businesses and aspects of our economy now depend on GPS.

When planes crashed into each other, agriculture production for the year was near zero and the courts get clogged with lawsuits over bogus survey data any FCC commissioner that signed off on this would probably get shot if not jailed. No, the FCC will play the game and in the end LS might get shifted to another frequency, but there is no way in hell they are going forward with the frequencies they have unless they have some secret sauce (nobel prize variety) that can prevent interference in all situations. I'll say it again, the first rule any HAM learns is thou shalt not interfere with Military frequencies. Very serious people show up and make sure you know there are very serious repercussions for doing so.

n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY

n2jtx

Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

said by rahvin112:

They aren't going to disrupt GPS. The FCC directors would be signing their resignations the day the system went active if they did.

And probably landing jobs in the private sector, perhaps even with LightSquared, before the ink was dry on their signatures.
40757180 (banned)
join:2009-11-01

40757180 (banned) to rahvin112

Member

to rahvin112
If you're small enough they will never find you. I been violating ham licensing for very long time and yet to be caught.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

said by 40757180:

If you're small enough they will never find you. I been violating ham licensing for very long time and yet to be caught.

Why not just get a license?
40757180 (banned)
join:2009-11-01

40757180 (banned)

Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

said by FFH5:

said by 40757180:

If you're small enough they will never find you. I been violating ham licensing for very long time and yet to be caught.

Why not just get a license?

No point, more fun doing it this way.
40757180

1 edit

40757180 (banned)

Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?


As long as you're moving chances of you getting caught are practically zero. So no reason to get license.

Alcohol
Premium Member
join:2003-05-26
Climax, MI

Alcohol to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
2Ghz band? Might as well stick to clear and their shitty spectrum.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

you do realize that much of the Clear network was built using the Sprint spectrum right? And the network DOES in fact work. Use the network in an area that actually is managed and cared about before you claim the network/spectrum is shitty.

Alcohol
Premium Member
join:2003-05-26
Climax, MI

Alcohol

Premium Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

said by hottboiinnc4:

you do realize that much of the Clear network was built using the Sprint spectrum right? And the network DOES in fact work. Use the network in an area that actually is managed and cared about before you claim the network/spectrum is shitty.

Obviously it works. But it's a lot harder to penetrate indoors.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

then don't claim the spectrum is shitty. Especially when they have an outdoor modem: »www.clear.com/profession ··· s/id/435 and yes a residential customer can get it too.

Alcohol
Premium Member
join:2003-05-26
Climax, MI

Alcohol

Premium Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

said by hottboiinnc4:

then don't claim the spectrum is shitty. Especially when they have an outdoor modem: »www.clear.com/profession ··· s/id/435 and yes a residential customer can get it too.

The spectrum is shitty. Try using it on Sprint.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

again mileage may vary. The Clear Wimax network works in other areas. And how do you know I haven't. The service works in CLE. Thus your area is just not taken care of. And also ever read that clause that's in your service contract? Sprint does NOT guarantee that your service will even work ANYWHERE. NOBODY does.

And it could be the device that has issues.

Alcohol
Premium Member
join:2003-05-26
Climax, MI

Alcohol

Premium Member

Re: So GPS is safe again?

said by hottboiinnc4:

again mileage may vary. The Clear Wimax network works in other areas. And how do you know I haven't. The service works in CLE. Thus your area is just not taken care of. And also ever read that clause that's in your service contract? Sprint does NOT guarantee that your service will even work ANYWHERE. NOBODY does.

And it could be the device that has issues.

Well obviously. No company will ever guarantee service everywhere. That's just common sense.

Clear has shitty spectrum as it doesn't work as nicely as Verizons LTE, or T-mobiles HSPA+. Is that clear enough?
Ulmo
join:2005-09-22
Aptos, CA

Ulmo to hottboiinnc4

Member

to hottboiinnc4
You do realize that it not working indoors = crappy, right? Therefore, he ought to claim that it is crappy. By what standards base do you use that it (Sprint) is OK for it not to work indoors? When I had Bell Atlantic Wireless in NYC, I had no-hiccup calls inside elevators inside highrises skyscrapers ALL THE TIME, as well as in the streets, among buildings, etc. and going between all those zones. AT&T was crappy once they took over Cellular One, but before AT&T bought McCaw, Cellular One at least worked outside almost everywhere and most places inside (but not all), but didn't work in elevators like Bell Atlantic Mobile now Verizon. So, Sprint not working indoors=crappy. Clear not working inside=crappy.

NickD
Premium Member
join:2000-11-17
Princeton Junction, NJ

NickD to tshirt

Premium Member

to tshirt
LightSquared should just get lost. They will if they interfere with GPS.
RDC17
join:2011-05-15
Vienna, VA

RDC17

Member

Sprint blew it big time

Another great move by Sprint. Still ailing from the Nextel buyout, they go and blow cash on WiMAX to be the first to have 4G. Too bad their 4G is nothing compared to LTE and is getting beat by HSPA+. Now AT&T and Verizon will have massive LTE networks within the next few years, and Sprint, first to the 4G game, will be playing catch-up once again.

I don't know why they are protesting the AT&T-T-Mobile deal. Sprint will be broke in ten years.

•••••••••
HIPAR
join:2005-11-10
Tannersville, PA

HIPAR

Member

GPS Weak Signal Protection Rules

GPS will not be safe so long as any kind of terrestrial operations are permitted on its adjacent spectrum. This time we might hold off the Lightsquared foxes but rest assured it's only a matter of time before some other politically connected pack will initiate a renewed charge on the coup.

Rules that specify GPS safe signal power levels need to enforced within GPS adjacent spectrum.

--- CHAS

michieru
Premium Member
join:2009-07-25
Denver, CO

michieru

Premium Member

?

Why hasn't the FAA spoken about this issue actually? I am sure if this indeed posed a threat someone would of at least said something by now.
caddlad
join:2003-01-03
Norwich, NY

caddlad

Member

We've said it loud and clear.

It was my understanding that Lightsquared was only to proceed if the could demonstrate NO interference, whatsoever, with existing GPS technology.

They resoundingly failed recent testing in the southwest.

»www.spacenews.com/satell ··· gps.html

"Disruption of GPS positioning and navigation signals used for aviation and other applications within U.S. territory will be unavoidable if startup firm LightSquared is permitted to deploy a hybrid satellite-terrestrial broadband network as currently planned, a pair of technical reports released June 9 concluded.

The final results of the testing showed significant impacts on many civil applications such as air traffic control and emergency response, said Deane Bunce, co-chair of the White House-chartered National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Systems Engineering Forum, or NPEF, which coordinated the testing among U.S. civil agencies. NPEF, a White House-chartered panel that provides technical analysis for GPS-related issues, submitted its final report to the FCC on June 1 and soon expects to publicly release a redacted version, Bunce said during a meeting of the National Space-Based Position, Navigation and Timing Advisory Board here. "

As the owner and operator of precision GPS equipment, I believe Lightsquared should steal another spectrum or die.
decifal7
join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

decifal7

Member

caps?

What sorta caps are theorized from this service? If its comparable to lte or even satellite caps/speeds.. Just shut it down already and use the cash on fiber to homes :-/

Lowe41
@bellsouth.net

Lowe41

Anon

Re: caps?

Hi, I read this and had a couple of questions if you guys don't mind. I have Sprint, and have for years. I am in Atlanta and very dissapointed in there 4G as talked about here.
I just got the new Evo 3d, is that LTE compatible? Will it be when they switch to LTE? Is that something they could send out via upgrade?
Also, the antenna mentioned via the clear website. Can I call and get that from Sprint?
I should have went to Verizon or ATT, but I had no idea about the difference in 4G vs LTE. Oh well, next time. By then, I don't think sprint will be around. Maybe Verizon will buy them.
Thanks in advance for your time