Leap & T-Mobile to Swap Spectrum for 4G

Leap and T-Mobile buddy up on bandwidth as they prep for 4G deployments

Dan Jones, Mobile Editor

April 9, 2012

1 Min Read
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Leap Wireless International Inc. (Nasdaq: LEAP) and T-Mobile US Inc. revealed plans to swap spectrum Monday, as both operators gear up to launch 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) over the next few years.

The transaction will give Leap, which operates as Cricket Communications Inc. , 10MHz of additional advanced wireless services (AWS) spectrum in Phoenix, Ariz., and Houston, Galveston and Bryan-College Station, Texas. Leap will give T-Mobile extra bandwidth in various markets in Alabama, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The transaction also includes spectrum exchanges between Leap and T-Mobile in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Atlantic City and various markets in Texas and New Mexico.

"These transactions will enhance our spectrum depth in these markets and provide us longer term flexibility to offer a larger LTE channel," Leap CEO Doug Hutcheson said of the proposed deal in a statement.

Financial terms of the deal have not been revealed. The agreement is subject to regulatory approval before the operators can make the swap.

Why this matters
T-Mobile and Leap both need extra bandwidth to launch new faster 4G services in the U.S. as they play catch-up with their larger rivals. T-Mobile hopes to have the majority of its LTE buildout done by the end of 2013. Leap plans to deploy LTE across approximately two-thirds of its current network footprint over the next two to three years and to cover up to 25 million people with 4G in 2012.

For more

  • What We Mean When We Say '4G'

  • T-Mobile, Verizon Spar Over Spectrum

  • Cricket Wants to Chirp on Other 4G Networks

  • T-Mobile Will Launch LTE in 2013



— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile

About the Author

Dan Jones

Mobile Editor

Dan is to hats what Will.I.Am is to ridiculous eyewear. Fedora, trilby, tam-o-shanter -- all have graced the Jones pate during his career as the go-to purveyor of mobile essentials.

But hey, Dan is so much more than 4G maps and state-of-the-art headgear. Before joining the Light Reading team in 2002 he was an award-winning cult hit on Broadway (with four 'Toni' awards, two 'Emma' gongs and a 'Brian' to his name) with his one-man show, "Dan Sings the Show Tunes."

His perfectly crafted blogs, falling under the "Jonestown" banner, have been compared to the works of Chekhov. But only by Dan.

He lives in Brooklyn with cats.

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