Welcome to today's broadband and cable news roundup.
Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) is seeking a partnership with Dish Network Corp. (Nasdaq: DISH) that would let the satellite TV giant offer its own brand of mobile services over the Sprint network, Bloomberg reports. In exchange, Sprint would obtain access to Dish's wireless spectrum and give Dish the opportunity to enter the mobile phone and data business without having to build its own wireless network. But everything's on hold as Dish waits for a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote on Wednesday (Dec. 12) that reportedly will allow the company to use 40MHz of Advanced Wireless Services (AWS)-4 spectrum in the 2GHz band without having to support its satellite-based access requirements. Dish has already agreed to release 5MHz of that spectrum for use as a guard band with the adjacent H-block, which Sprint is eyeing for its Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. (See Dish's Wireless Fate to Be Sealed Next Week and Dish's Wireless Plans Could Get 'Crippled'.)
Media streaming firm Videon Central Inc. has licensedComcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK)'s Reference Design Kit (RDK), a pre-integrated software bundle for hybrid QAM/IP set-tops and gateways and IP-only video client devices. Videon said the license will enable it to offer software products and services to its semiconductor and consumer electronics customers. (See Comcast's Set-Top Accelerator Gains Traction .)
Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) and Comcast-owned NBC Sports Group have struck a joint content and promotions deal covering the Web and regular television. The deal includes provisions to develop original video programs for the Web and the rights for Yahoo! Sports to offer live streams from NBC's top live sporting events, including Sunday Night Football. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) and CEO Reed Hastings received a "Wells Notice" from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)threatening civil action over alleged disclosure violations about five months after Hastings posted on Facebook that the company's streaming totals "exceeded 1 billion hours" in June. Hastings maintained in an SEC statement that the disclosure was not material, that a posting to more than 200,000 people on Facebook is "very public," and that Netflix is optimistic that it will quickly clear up the matter. Netflix stock spiked more than 6 percent after the post on July 3, but Hastings argues that shares were rising before that, and "likely driven" by a positive research report from Citigroup the evening before. (See Netflix Sets Streaming Record .)
HBO CTO Bob Zitter is retiring on March 31, 2013, after more than three decades with the premium programmer, reports Multichannel News, noting that the cable pioneer will continue to serve the company as a consultant "for several months afterward" as a yet-to-be-named successor moves into the role. Among his achievements, Zitter oversaw HBO's digital transition in 1992, its move into HDTV in 1999 and he was the technical lead for HBO's jump into video-on-demand and multi-screen, TV Everywhere services. He joined HBO in 1981, and was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame in 2006.
I think we will see a Dish / AT&T tie up. With Verizon and the cable companies forming JOE, AT&T needs a video partner and spectrum. This will eventually leave Sprint with CenturyTel. Dish has additional spectrum beyond the 2GHz band. Dish still holds the lower 700 MHz E Block almost nationwide, excluding the populated portions of California and the upper NorthEast. With that said Dish proposed at TSG RAN #57 in September carrier aggregation of B23 and B29. Band Class 29 being the DL 12 MHz of the 700 MHz Lower D and E Blocks (LTE_DL_FDD700). Dish/AT&T would then be able to aggregate the DL of the 700 MHz D and E Blocks with the DL of the 2GHz spectrum.
Flip side would be a tie up with Dish / T-Mobile, but I think an AT&T partnership is more likely at this point.
Dish has FD-LTE specturm that have a 20X20 block of spectrum.
Also the spectrum Dish owns, is FD right next to the H block which is next to the G block.
Also in regards to LTE Advanced that has nothing to do with TD-LTE, LTE-Advanced or LTE Release 10 will come out for TD-LTE and FD-LTE.
With regards to speed, i was refering to real world speeds ie not in a lab. IE a network with users.
ATT and Verizon already have there freq bands in Qualcomm chips. With the rest of this statement it makes no sense.
Chips work on Frequences, if Dish wants devices to work for there networks they have to have chips that work with there network. Just becuase they use FD-LTE does not mean they will work with Verizon or ATT or Sprint LTE phones. Each different band needs to be added to Qualcomm's chipset.
Honeslty I dont think you understand spectrum and technology.
With regards to the Clearwire comment, currently Clearwire is not part of Network Vision those podcasts that you heard refer to Clearwire's own network not Sprint's.
Seamless handoffs do not mean they are running on Network Vision hardware.
Im sorry, but if I am not mistaken, I didn't think I said the Sprectrum of Dish was TDD. If I am not mistaken, I said, Dish said in an FCC docket that they would like to start their own Advanced network and in the mean time, they would like to use another carrier to assist them until their Advanced network is up and running. SO, an Advanced network isn't an FDD is it?
As for speeds, China Cell has tested their TDD at speeds greater than 150+ mbps. So are you saying that speeds like that can only happen on that half of the world? In other words, the laws of physics is different here in the USA than China?
As far as Qualcomm adding to Dish's Chipset not being a big deal. Okay, then maybe AT&T and Verizon should do the same thing? Why would Dish select qualcomm for an Advanced chip set that would work on a TDD....why not just do a FDD seeing how AT&T and Verizon have a FDD? And you say Dish also has a FDD...why sunbmit an FCC docket saying they want to compete against AT&T and Verizon with a Advanced LTE? Why even buy the spectrum for an FDD?
as for your comment....Also to add TD-LTE to Sprints Network Vision network that would require more work it is not being done right now, since that part Clearwire decieded not to do.
Okay, this must mean you are currently working for Cleariwre and you know exactly what work is being done and what work is NOT being done. According to their quarterly pod casts, they have mentioned that they are intergrating their TDD with Sprint's FDD to make it seamless, so both can shift back and forth to handle the load. Plus, they mentioned that to bring the TDD on-line, all they would have to do is to add a small module in place to make it active.
Seeing how you know their work schedule, maybe you can shead some light on what this module is? and how easy is it to snap in place?
Sprint's Network Vision LTE network is fully 100% LTE-Advanced setup they are using 4 x 4 antenna's vs Att and Verizon are using 2x2 antennas FYI.
Also Dish paying Qualcomm to add there band into there LTE-Advanced chipset is not a huge deal at all in the wireless industry.
Sprint can not and should not purchase Clearwire until after the Softbank deal is done around June of next year.
Also on the point of speed in the range of 150mbps there isnt really a point and i doubt we in the US will see much more than 75.
Also to add TD-LTE to Sprints Network Vision network that would require more work it is not being done right now, since that part Clearwire decieded not to do.
Dan, I agree with you 100%. But what would it take to buy more of Clearwire? I think if the completely jump in with two feet, the investors that are loyal will panic where as for me, I would feel that it would be a major coo to buy the whole lot and say...."it's mine.
Spectrum is like a gold mine and Cleariwre has a %$&! load that needs to be hooked up. However, I don't really know what the status is of the network vision is as far as where the they are on completion, but I will say this....
Why go out and talk with Dish if it wasn't close to being ready? Dish's goal is to have an Advanced network (TDD-LTE) not a (FDd-LTE)....right. If they did, why not go to AT&T or Verizon? They have that type of network! Plus, the Sprint network build out and vision involves the TDD-LTE of Clearwire
The question is why? Why would Dish go invest $50 million in an Advanced chipset? What...for nothing?
Why would Sprint even head over there to talk with Dish if something wasn't about to happen? Plus, why would Dish head over to Japan to talk with Softbank (so they say Fierce Broadband) http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/rumor-mill-sprint-dish-cozying-mvno-deal/2012-12-09?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal
My thinking is.... "if Sprint is going to talk with Dish about sometype of deal, it would ahve to be on the TDD-network. And if this is the case, odds are really good that the network is almost ready....would you think? Again, why go promote it to a retailer if it wasn't ready.
Well, look at it this way. If you had an idea for a product and you went out and promoted it for people to buy it now, if it doesn't come true, would you be up &%$# creek? So odds are good that you wouldn't promote it until it's almost ready to sell...yes?
If Sprint was so entranced with Clearwire why wouldn't they invest more in them to get the TD-LTE network actually up and running. Why go off on theNetwork Vision strategy when Clearwire has this tech?
Well, it really has nothing to do with Sprint and it has more to do with Clearwire. You see, Sprint has invested "BILLION" in Clearwire and they are going to do whatever it takes to make the relationship with Cleariwre work.
Sprint didn't just dabble into Sprint, they got all the way in and if it was you or I and we invested the farm, you and I would make sure it work, regardless of what anyone says....we have too. Our company(S) depend on it.
So, if I were in charge, I would be setting up any type of relationship that would allow these partners to use this 150+ mbps download speed network.so I can start seeing a return on my investment.
you and I both know that the trend is videos and that cell phone manufacturing had designed their cell phone to take advantage of this trend.
But we both know that due to limited spectrum within the top two, that throttling has become a way of life for you and I. If that what we paid for? To use it once in a while? The consumer has been trained to stop using their high end $600 phone becuase they are coming close to the end of their plan in fear of increasing their bill. What a joke.
It's like going down to your local 7-11 to buy a 6 pack of beer, get to the counter, pay for it, and then the lady pulls two can off and say..."sorry, if I were to sell all of these 6 can's too you, than we will not have any beer to sell to the next guy...thank you for your understanding and have a nice day!"
But the ones to really see the light is...Softbank. With Cleariwre's network, all three companies are going to capture a huge market share from the top two. Why? No throttling and download speeds that will make a "T-mobile" crochrocket look like a skateboard.
Let me ask you this. What is the price of Clearwire stock? What's the price of AT&T and Verizon stock? Do you think that if AT&T and Verizon stock's are the only company stocks that are allowed to be that high?
Do you thik that there is room for another players? With a new network with download speeds at 150+ mbps, do you think the Clearwire stock will remain around $2.45? What are the odds that it will reach the same high as the others whcih is currently around $35...give or take a dime?
Hum, what is the difference between $2.45 to $35.00?
No...it's not Sprint Eye's Dish. It's should be..."we eye Clearwire!" I know, you think I'm high and I have been smoking the funny green stuff. No, but I did invest in Mecial Marijuana and I'm up 1500% Who's crazy now....LOLOLOLOL
My question on how big of a deal was in reference to the item on the Netflix/Facebook disclosure fiasco, but, yes, a Dish-Sprint hook-up will be a very big deal, if they can get it pulled together, and that Clearwire/LTE connection is an interesting component that we've been covering right along.
But Sprint has teamed up with others before, notably the cable guys, and those multiple efforts just didn't pan out, so we'd have to see if Dish could reverse that trend...if such a partnership happens, of course. JB
This is the biggest story of the year and everyone is looking like it's kind of a "ho-hum" deal. Wake up people!!!!!!
Maybe it that you just don't get the big picture. Here, let me help you.
Several months ago, Dish went out and invested $50 million dollars in Advanced LTE chip sets from Qualcomm...the same company Clearwire uses. Then they submitted an FCC docket that said that they wanted to put in their own LTE network but was likely going to use someone elses network to start with. At that time they mention Sprint and Clearwire in this FCC docket.
Now...hellooooooo people. Who is building an Advanced LTE network that uses Qualcomm chipsets? Clearwire! Who just invested in Sprint and has the same Advanced LTE network as Clearwire? Thant would be Softbank!
Do you think Softbank is investing in Sprints 25 mbps download speed? Do you think Softbank is interested in a normal network like verizon or AT&T? NO!!!!!
Why, do you think Dish is interested in an Advanced LTE? Could it be the download speeds of 150+ mbps? Duh!
Helloooo people. Sprint owns 51% of Clearwire, Softbank owns 80% of Sprint. Softbank has an Advanced LTE like Clearwire, Advanced LTE downloads at 150+ mbps...Dish invests in Advanced LTE chip sets.
Disclosure rules are firmly rooted in 20th-century distribution models and need to be updated. That said, Reed Hastings continues to blaze new trails in the CEO-as-loose-cannon realm.
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