#wireless

Posts mentioning hashtag #wireless

Below are all the posts — topics as well as replies — that mention the hashtag #wireless.

Mention #wireless in your post to continue the discussion!

VZ to be landline only?

99 year leases on 1f to VZW.. frontier purchases. Selling dark fiber, how long before the wireless side is divested? Clearly they keep reducing non union employees numbers to make it a much more appealing sell and locking in the fiber leases secures revenue. The ducks are in a row

#Divestiture #HeadcountReduction #Wireless #Telecom #Rumor

Spacex wireless

SpaceX's first earnings call (Aug 2026) after its June IPO, where President Gwynne Shotwell and CEO Elon Musk announced plans to build a real terrestrial mobile network, not just satellite-to-phone backup service, putting them in direct competition with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

The core plan

  • SpaceX is acquiring 65 MHz of spectrum from EchoStar (~$17B deal) that includes rights to build ground-based ("terrestrial") service, not just satellite.
  • Instead of building traditional giant cell towers, SpaceX wants to turn existing Starlink satellite dishes (already on rooftops) into small cellular base stations ("femtocells") — cheap and already deployed.
  • Musk argues this could give better/higher bandwidth coverage than today's carriers, especially since dishes have unobstructed sky/ground views.
  • Shotwell claims the upgraded system (new spectrum + next-gen satellites) will be "100x better" than current Starlink Mobile. New satellites start launching next year (2027), with service beginning end of 2027.
  • Shotwell won't disclose the buildout budget — she says the femtocell approach lets them scale spending gradually instead of huge upfront capex.

Why analysts are skeptical

  • 65 MHz is tiny next to what AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon collectively hold (over 1,000 MHz).
  • One analyst (Craig Moffett) says without an MVNO deal from an existing carrier, Starlink can't realistically be "competitive" in the next 5 years — and the Big 3 have all declined to do MVNO deals with Starlink.
  • The Big 3 are pooling spectrum/resources in a joint venture partly to blunt this threat.
  • The podcast (Recon Analytics) gives a more detailed, more bullish-but-nuanced technical theory: SpaceX will likely buy 800 MHz spectrum (from a company called Grain, originally from Dish/T-Mobile swap) for wide rural coverage on tall "macro" towers, then densify using its EchoStar/AWS spectrum, and eventually buy upper C-band spectrum for cities — all timed around the 2027 5G-NTN satellite standard. Their view: SpaceX will dominate rural coverage and be a real disruptor, but won't fully replace AT&T/Verizon/T-Mobile as a nationwide equal within the next several years.
  • The IEEE ComSoc "Analysis & Opinion" piece (AI-assisted) argues the most likely outcome isn't a full carrier build-out or acquiring a carrier, but a hybrid: buy spectrum + selectively lease/acquire small assets, build only where economically justified, and lean on satellite for the rest — because SpaceX's capital is increasingly being pulled toward AI data center spending instead.

Bottom line: SpaceX/Starlink is signaling serious intent to become a real, direct competitor to the wireless carriers — not just a satellite backup service — using spectrum it's acquiring and a low-cost "distributed small station" approach rather than traditional towers. Nearly everyone agrees this is a real threat (all three carriers' stocks dropped after the earnings call), but there's real debate over the timeline (2027 vs. 2030+) and whether it ever becomes a true fourth national carrier versus a strong niche/rural player that pressures the incumbents.

#Wireless #Telecom #Competition #Satellite #Acquisition

Hype vs Reality

How to separate the real signals from the hype: Starlink's business opportunity is narrower than marketing suggests.Large businesses (72%) are most receptive to Starlinkaugmented ISPs. Midsize (62%) and small businesses (44%) less so 12
27% of small businesses stay with bad providers because there are no alternatives—this is Starlink's strongest directsales case Starlink wins in coverage gaps, not headtohead competition with fiber/cable in dense areas.. Direct toDevice (D2D) is technically real—but limitedFrom measurement based research (arXiv, May 2025): ~4 Mbps per beam in outdoor conditions—functional for basic services, far below terrestrial averages.
Service progression is gradual:

  1. Text messaging
  2. Limited voice/lowrate data
  3. Basic web in uncovered areas
  4. Higher speeds later (more satellites, spectrum)
    Reality check: D2D works, but it's not 5G replacement territory yet.. Spectrum sharing is the real battleground Starlink doesn't want Cband auctions—it wants to share spectrum This a "power play"—if SpaceX gets this, what stops them from getting any spectrum they want? Wireless industry (CTIA) wants auctions; Starlink wants flexible sharing frameworks
    This is about regulatory strategy. Carrier partnerships are pragmatic, not strategic surrender.TMobile's SuperBroadband (5G + Starlink) uses satellite as failover/backup 2
    AT&T/Verizon's joint satellite initiative is technical alignment, not a defensive wall 5
    Carriers retain customer relationships; Starlink becomes infrastructure layer
    Carriers aren't folding—they're hedging.
    Physics constraints: limited spectrum per beam, shared capacity, lineofsight requirements
    Starlink lacks: retail distribution, billing infrastructure, customer support at carrier scale
    Current capacity: ~4 Mbps vs. terrestrial 5G at 100+ Mbps 3
    Starlink complements coverage; it doesn't replace dense networks.
    D2D messaging market is modest—Apple's Globalstar deal costs ~$100M/year for global coverage 6
    Economic return unclear on D2D investments
    Regulatory hurdles remain significant (some countries ban terrestrial spectrum use from space).D2D is a coverage feature, not a standalone business model.
    Carriers own spectrum, customers, and terrestrial infrastructure
    They can diversify (AST SpaceMobile, OneWeb, etc.)
    Dependency would commoditize carriers—they'll resist.Carriers will use Starlink selectively, not surrender control.Starlink will monopolize satellite telecom" Starlink has a huge lead but won't monopolize the global market:
    Competition from: Amazon Kuiper, OneWeb/Eutelsat, AST SpaceMobile, traditional GEO providers.Starlink leads, but the market is multiplayer.What's actually happening is subtler but more important:Starlink's biggest opportunity: filling coverage gaps + backup connectivity. Not replacing fiber/cable in competitive markets.Carrier channels (TMobile, Comcast) can reach enterprise accounts Starlink can't efficiently
    Cband spectrum request is a "power play" to establish precedent for spectrum sharing 4
    D2D market size far smaller than fixed broadband opportunity.
    Wireless industry shouldn't pop champagne yet on Cband. Outcome uncertain; compromises possible (some spectrum for exclusive use, some for satellite sharing)
    Starlink is becoming infrastructure layer that carriers may rent. Regulatory flexibility (spectrum sharing, buildout waivers) is the key variable Coverage gaps and backup are the nearterm sweet spots
    What to watch:
    FCC decisions on spectrum sharing and buildout requirements
    Carrier responses (partnerships vs. competitive satellite investments)
    Actual D2D performance as more satellites deployThe shift is from "satellite vs. telecom" to "satellite as part of telecom"—but that's a gradual evolution, not a sudden takeover.
#Telecom #Wireless #Competition #Regulations

A Crown Castle + Starlink Partnership Could Redefine Wireless Infrastructure

Why just wait, let’s act! Crown Castle’s nationwide portfolio of communications infrastructure provides an ideal platform to accelerate Starlink’s vision of a hybrid satellite and terrestrial network. By integrating Starlink equipment and direct-to-cell technology at select Crown Castle sites, SpaceX could rapidly expand coverage, reduce deployment costs, and improve resilience without the time and capital required to build an entirely new terrestrial footprint.

For Crown Castle, the partnership would create a new source of long-term infrastructure demand as wireless networks evolve beyond traditional macro towers. Instead of viewing satellite connectivity as a competitive threat, Crown Castle could position itself as the preferred infrastructure partner for next-generation hybrid communications.

Together, the companies could:

  • Extend reliable connectivity into rural and underserved communities.
  • Strengthen emergency and disaster-response communications.
  • Reduce cellular dead zones through integrated satellite and terrestrial coverage.
  • Accelerate deployment of direct-to-cell services using existing infrastructure.
  • Create a scalable model for the future of global wireless connectivity.

A partnership would allow each company to leverage its core strengths: Starlink’s advanced satellite network and Crown Castle’s extensive terrestrial infrastructure. The result could be a faster, more cost-effective path to building a truly seamless communications network than either company could achieve independently.

We don’t want to wither away right? Can someone please get this going - both in Texas it makes sense!

#Partnership #Wireless #Satellite #Telecommunications #Strategy

Willfully ignorant VZ acquiring rural networks on the cheap, then using a general contractor (like E///, as cover)

to maintain the towers. The general contractor then hires cheap, underpaid, unsafe, and sometimes undocumented labor to maintain the towers. VZ knows this, but can claim ignorance (we hired E/// to maintain it, not our problem....). Willful ignorance on the part of VZ. Happening across the country.

https://wirelessestimator.com/articles/2026/verizons-move-on-carolina-west-wireless-gives-fcc-chairman-carr-a-clear-leverage-point-on-contractor-commitments/

Directly from the article:
Ericsson, which Verizon selected as a preferred supplier despite that company having eliminated its entire U.S. field services operation in October 2023 — laying off approximately 750 employees — has no self-performing crews and will subcontract the work it has been awarded. That subcontract market is where undocumented workers, misclassified 1099 labor, and suppressed safety standards are most concentrated.

#Contractor #Safety #Underpaid #Wireless

Wireless / Wireline animosity

There are too many posts on this board expressing animosity between the wireless and wireline sides of the business. If you’re contributing to this animosity, you should stop! It’s silly! I’ll explain why below.

One recurring theme is that wireless couldn’t survive without wireline. Way back when, all wireless operators used T-1s and DS-3s and that generated quite a bit of revenue for the LECs. As capacity needs increased, they shifted to fiber about 20 years ago. There are a lot of fiber providers so wireless is no longer dependent on wireline but getting fiber from your own company is better for the balance sheet. Would you rather we paid AT&T for fiber?

It’s also true that wireless was initially financed by wireline but so what? Wireline saw an opportunity and they took it. T-Mobile was financed by investors outside of wireline and they’re doing just fine.

In short, wireless would do just fine without wireline and wireline would do fine without wireless but they are better together because there are significant synergies including bundling services. So stop this silliness! There’s enough drama and nonsense in the company and you don’t need to add to that.

#Communication #Company #Conflict #Culture #Wireless

The Future is in Space

Starlink/SpaceX will be going after every cable and fiber ISP customer as early as this year. AST SpaceMobile which we have like a 2% stake in (Somebody somewhere in AT&T had a brain) will be going after the wireless customers as early as next year. Rocket Lab and Space X in the satellite payload biz. Rocket Lab and SpaceX beaming solar energy back to the ground. Meanwhile AT&T employees will be monitoring their presence reports. Is 7.7 hours enough? Good news. 6.7 is enough!

#Space #Satellite #ISP #Wireless #Presence

B2B Mid Markets - Wireless

A lot of chatter around layoffs, but it seems that they are going to just starve out and fire folks in the B2B Mid Market space. Unattainable quotas, 30 day PIP process, calls for 75% of our time which limits finding real deals within our base. Over 22 years with the company, I cost more than most of my peers. I would be a natural layoff candidate. Would love to hang for a RIF, but I do not think they are ever going to let us go like that when they can get rid of us all free.

Anyone see it differently?

#Layoffs #PIP #Quota #ForcedAttrition #Wireless

Verizon CEO admits to and apologized for huge pricing mistake

The wireless industry does not traditionally have a great reputation when it comes to being transparent. That was the basis of T-Mobile’s entire Un-carrier strategy, which forced Verizon and AT&T to drop what used to be the mainstays of how the industry charged.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/verizon-ceo-admits-apologized-huge-172100197.html

#Pricing #CEO #Transparency #Wireless

Verizon needs to divest businesses without high margins

Happy former 30 year employee and current interest is only as an investor. Verizon needs to become a pure play Consumer focused company Wireless/Internet. Parts are worth more than the sum. Verizon Business would be one example. Sell it and other lower margin businesses to PE markets. Regulated side is more difficult to divest due to the obvious reasons.

#Divestiture #Strategy #InvestorRelations #Wireless

Verizon Wireless + Frontier bundling has started

Verizon is now offering a better deal than Xfinity mobile or Spectrum mobile.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/verizon_frontier-is-joining-verizon-activity-7422324405147598849-GOkc

We now go back to our regularly scheduled programming of hating on Verizon and its leadership

#Wireless #Telecommunications #Partnership #Customers

Meanwhile, jobs are getting even more scarce

Ericsson, T-Mobile, Telefónica Announce Early 2026 Job Cuts

https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/2026-layoff-tracker

Ericsson announced 1,600 job cuts in Sweden on January 15. This represents a 12% reduction in its home country workforce. T-Mobile also quietly reduced sales positions nationwide, as reported on January 12. Telefónica plans up to 5,000 layoffs, mostly in Spain, by year-end. The company will offer $3 billion in compensation to affected employees.

#Telecom #Layoffs #Sweden #Wireless #News

T-Mobile and Verizon figured it out, ATT slow in the draw

Fixed Wireless Johnny Stinkey. Not everyone wants or needs Ferrari like Fiber Speeds. 9/10 are content with Fixed Wireless. Running Fiber all over the map is a Stinkey move. Johnny Stinkey is always a day late and a dollar short.

#Competition #Technology #Telecom #Telecommunications #Wireless

Stop the Outsourcing!

There is a major gap between Verizon’s international leadership and its US subscribers... For VZ to survive we should focus on America and completely stop offshoring to Europe and India. This got us nowhere and it's getting worse - we should focus on quality and stop this short term fixes that are causing chaos and rot.

#Outsourcing #Quality #Leadership #Wireless