Though Verizon (VZ) has an edge on AT&T (T) when it comes to 4G LTE coverage, AT&T might...

This news story has 7 comments:

Register or Login to rate comments »

mogando Comments (312)
 
AT&T has always had the advantage in download speeds. Wherever there's no LTE, they still fallback to HSPA+, which is mighty fast as a "super 3G" standard.

Verizon, on the other hand, is still crawling along with EVDO.
5 Dec 2012, 03:05 PM Reply Like

Headcoach Comments (434)
 
Well, placing in an Advanced LTE is NOT cheap...ask Clearwire and Sprint.

But, Clearwire will also be coming on board with their Advanced network at the same time as AT&T. Hum, what if AT&T is not putting in an Advanced LTE and is really going to buy wholesale time on Clearwire?

Sprint did the same thing when they said they had 4G when in reality it was the Clearwire WiMax network. Could it be that AT&T is buy network time from Clearwire?
5 Dec 2012, 04:29 PM Reply Like

ashtarir Comments (83)
 
I bought CLWR for a reason. Unless ATT and V know that the FCC has unannounced plans to sell more spectrum they only have a plan that cant be executed with out help. CLWR owns more spectrum then ATT and V and all of their spectrum is allocated for LTE and TD-LTE. ATT and V, however, must still conserve parts of their spectrum for existing 4G and 3G usage. The advanced LTE also requires higher frequencies which CLWR owns lots of. CLWRs current business plan revolves around selling advance LTE services to other providers in high traffic areas (like sprint). The cost of the build is not nearly as important as the the available spectrum and the freqency owned. The holdup for CLWR has always been rasing capital, which up until last month Sprint could not provide. Fortunately Softbank, who happens to be rolling out their own TD-LTE network in Japan and also is using the same frequencies as CLWR, is purchasing 77% stake in sprint. This should allow sprint to aggressively fund CLWR and their LTE build. In addition, there is speculation that Dish, who also owns lots of unused spectrum, has purchased some of CLWRs debt. With this huge cash infusion into sprint by Softbank, Sprints ownership in CLWR, and the speculative Dish purchase in CLWR debt we have a beast in the making. This could potentially lead to the most advanced telecomunitcations setup in US history by the end of 2015. Watch out ATT and V until you show us how you plan on building this network all I see is fear.
5 Dec 2012, 05:36 PM Reply Like

kmi Comments (3844)
 
ashtarir,

that was a very informative comment. I stopped looking at CLWR because I figured it was a ship without a captain, it's taken forever for the company to pick a strategy, commit to it, and follow through.

Your point suggesting the softbank deal makes the difference urges me to look deeper here. I'm still concerned about execution though.
6 Dec 2012, 08:24 AM Reply Like

mogando Comments (312)
 
it also really depends on where the Clearwire spectrum resides.

With so many dozen approved LTE bands, nearly no single LTE phone could work globally (heck, even nationally). CLWR could own a few hundred MHz of silent spectrum and still won't help their position or cashflow at all.

Just look at T-Mobile USA and China Mobile. One owns strange band and one uses strange 3G. Both get the crappiest smartphones.
6 Dec 2012, 04:13 PM Reply Like

ashtarir Comments (83)
 
That the key to CLWR they own lots of high freqency spectrum needed for TD-LTE.
7 Dec 2012, 04:09 PM Reply Like

ashtarir Comments (83)
 
kmi

You are correct in assuming that CLWR is a risky stock. Personally I think the managment is pretty good and the handicap has always revolved around rasing capital and paying debt. Although sprint has maintianed a majority share for some time now they too have had a financial cloud of uncertainty hanging over their heads. I think that alot has changed in the recent months but a lot of risk still remains. If you research Softbank, CLWR, and Sprint you'll find that there is a solid managment team made up of successful billionares who have made their money by being in the right place at the right time.
The softbank deal greatly improves CLWRs TD-LTE position as Softbank has already begun to execute their Japanies TD-LTE network. Since they both use the same freqencies and technology the overall cost of building and finishing thier netorks should go down. Although no public statements have been made I'm convinced that Softbanks interest in sprint is primarilly for CLWR and their spectrum. If Dish does infact have intrest in joining the party then these companies will have all the tools they need to compete with V, ATT, Comcast, and any other major competitor with substantial growth potential.
In my opinion a small postion in CLWR could lead to some serious longterm returns. Do your research and if you decide to invest make its a value you're willing to loose. CLWR is still heading down a path where they will be running out of money very soon but now there is a considerable amount of evidence which shows that they may get the financial help they need to move forward.
6 Dec 2012, 02:59 PM Reply Like