2.5GHz

US operator NextWave launched a 2. 5GHz-based private networking service in the New York City metro area to compete with a growing number of similar offerings from large mobile operators.

T-Mobile US lit mid-band 5G coverage in 81 additional cities across the US, as it pressed ahead with a plan to put Sprint’s legacy 2. 5GHz spectrum to work in thousands of locations by end-2020.

US operators appeared set to get an infusion of much-needed mid-band spectrum, as Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Ajit Pai teed up a vote on a plan to auction unused portions of the 2. 5GHz band.

Sprint swung to a loss in its fiscal Q3 (calendar Q4 2018), despite an ongoing effort to cut costs and boost growth. Revenue was up 4. 4 per cent year-on-year to $8. 6 billion, with an $8.

AT&T won the majority of 2. 5GHz spectrum available in Mexico’s latest auction, though rival Telefonica also walked away from the proceeding with new airwaves in hand. The US operator claimed 80MHz of spectrum, agreeing to pay MXN1.

Aggressive promotions helped Sprint add more customers than expected in its fiscal Q1, but CEO Michel Combes said on an earnings call the operator will increasingly focus on profitability as it moves toward a 5G launch in early 2019.

Sprint could be one major benefactor if the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moves ahead with a proposed overhaul of rules in the 2. 5GHz band.