Adding satellite capabilities into everyday cell phones and providing global coverage sounds like an attractive offer to the average consumer; especially if unit costs remain low. But where does the emerging future of connectivity leave today's carriers?
As technologies rapidly advance, the number of competitors coming from new directions are sure to increase. SkyTerra, TerreStar and Philip Falcone's (Harbinger Capital Partners) satellite cell phone plan are prime examples of what the next big thing could be.
continued story
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
How Much is Your Spectrum Worth?
A significant and recurring question in the spectrum industry today is “how much are my spectrum assets worth?” Besides previous FCC auction data and industry news of spectrum sales or leases, spectrum holders and buyers do not have many references or benchmarks available to them when it comes to spectrum valuation. Compiling past auction data, referencing the Internet and public information sites can be a very complex, confusing and time-consuming process. Spectrum Bridge solves this problem with a comprehensive valuation service. The knowledge and information gathered from a valuation report places a spectrum holder or buyer in the best position in the buying or selling process. Our valuations include analysis of:
- Recent transaction data from the SpecEx marketplace
- Geographic data mapping & analysis of FCC market boundaries and surrounding site based licenses
- The Brattle Group secondary market transaction history
- ComStudy research & analysis
- Industry & market demand
- Our proprietary pricing model based on current and future population projections
Reports also provide a comprehensive description of capabilities, potential and other factors revealed through research and analysis. Specifically, our spectrum valuation reports identify:
- Comparables of recent Spectrum sales
- New and Innovative methods for uses of the Spectrum Assets
- Enterprises using similar spectrum today
- Available equipment & application types
- Impact of Incumbents, unjust enrichment and build out-requirements
- Potential Impact of proposed, pending or recent FCC rule changes
- Mapping of spectrum assets and surrounding spectrum environment
- Spectrum Bridge Appraisal Report & Valuation Services
Click here to view a sample report (pdf) or call us at (407) 792-1570 x513 or toll free 1-866-598-7426
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Upcoming Broadband Stimulus Webinar
Co-sponsored by the Rural Telecommunications Group, The Brattle Group and Spectrum Bridge, Inc, this free, 45 minute Webinar will provide valuable insights on the requirements and selection process of applying for and securing Broadband Stimulus funds.
The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program consists of $7.2 in federal funding allocated for new and expanded broadband services projects. The program has been the subject of two months of NTIA and RUS sponsored roundtable discussions for the purpose of identifying key issues the government will need to better define before issuing final rules regarding grant qualifications and award processes.
With the first grants expected to be awarded in June, decisions will likely happen quickly and close to the deadlines. This webinar is designed to help prospective applicants keep their fingers on the pulse of the latest information and inform them with strategies they’ll need for obtaining broadband stimulus funds.
Some of the topics Dr. Bazelon and Mr. Stanforth will cover are:
- Project qualifications
- Application requirements, deadlines and funding schedules
- State governments’ role
- Details determining waivers for the proposed 20% capital investment
- Economic and financial strategies to create project visibility and priority
- Licensed spectrum’s role in securing Broadband Stimulus funds
- Strategies for quickly obtaining affordable spectrum
Attendees will have an opportunity to pose specific questions at the conclusion of the presentation.
Key presenter Dr. Coleman Bazelon is a principal at The Brattle Group, Inc., and an expert in regulation and strategy for the wireless, wireline, and video sectors. He consults and testifies on behalf of clients in numerous telecommunications matters, and frequently advises regulatory and legislative bodies, including the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Congress.
Peter Stanforth is the CTO and co-founder of Spectrum Bridge, Inc. Prior to Spectrum Bridge, Mr. Stanforth was co-founder and CTO of MeshNetworks, Inc., where he authored numerous patents on ad hoc and broadband wireless technologies.
Attendance is free, but seats are limited. To register: http://www.stimuluswebinar.com/
Monday, April 6, 2009
Widelity Joins Spectrum Bridge Inc's Ecosystem
Our partnership with Widelity was officially announced this week on their Website's news & resources page. Spectrum Bridge has been building an "ecosystem" of wireless partners and Widelity is a valuable addition to this group.
In regard to the partnership, Widelity principal partner Ed Myers said:
“We believe Spectrum Bridge is ahead of the curve with their wireless ecosystem and online spectrum brokerage services. If we can assist Spectrum Bridge’s clients execute and operationalize their spectrum purchases, then everybody wins.”
To learn more about partnerships and business relationships with Spectrum Bridge, please visit our partner page.
Friday, April 3, 2009
FiberTower Lists Nationwide 39 GHz Licenses on SpecEx
Ideal for broadband and transport, including providing services in underserved and un-served areas, FiberTower's spectrum licenses cover 99 percent of the United States. Their 39 GHz portfolio is now listed on SpecEx.com, the online marketplace for spectrum(TM).
The spectrum may be used for:
- Backhaul
- point-to-point broadband links
- schools and libraries
- government agencies
- ports
- airports
- mining
- public safety
- disaster response
- and more
Friday, March 27, 2009
The First Private Online Spectrum Auction
By enhancing SpecEx, we are now able to offer a unique auction ability for spectrum holders to market and sell their excess spectrum licenses. At the IWCE tradeshow in Las Vegas we made the announcement of an offering which will be up for auction:(1.) Very High Frequency (VHF) spectrum licenses covering 78 counties in Florida and South Georgia
For the show, we also created a flyer with some additional info: Auction Flyer
This spectrum is highly desirable due to its geographic coverage and the wide availability of compatible digital radio equipment from leading vendors including Motorola, Kenwood, Midland and others. In fact, some of the spectrum to be auctioned is being used by Motorola to showcase their MOTOTRBO radio system at the IWCE 2009 Expo.
“With multiple wireless networks across the United States, we are focusing our resources on growing these operational markets,” said Scott MacIntyre, President of Data Radio Management Company Inc. “The undeveloped spectrum assets in Florida are valuable, but they no longer fit in to our current business plans. We’ve had a great working relationship with the Spectrum Bridge team for over a year so we are excited that they offered us the opportunity to monetize this spectrum using an online auction. One of the big advantages of an auction is that it creates an open and level playing field for all interested buyers.”
The licenses can be used for specialized mobile radio (SMR) services, as well as government and private voice/data radio systems. Utilities, oil and gas producers, casinos, transportation, public safety and emergency response agencies, as well as other enterprises and agencies that must reliability communicate with large fleets of two-way radios, can benefit from this spectrum.
For additional auction information, complete prospectus or other license details, please call 1-866-598-7426 or contact Mickey DeChellis at (407) 792-1570 x513.
We also have an area set up on our homepage titled "Announcing the Industry's First Online Spectrum Auction" with some linked articles and the official press release.
Additional licenses for sale or lease can be found at SpecEx.com.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
An Overview of the Broadband Stimulus with a Wireless Perspective
By Christian L. Duffus, CFO, Spectrum Bridge, Inc.
OVERVIEW:
There is a unique opportunity in the wireless industry as presented in the Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program section of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Act”) also commonly referred to as the “Broadband Stimulus Package.”
Specifically, $1 billion or over 35% of the $2.825 billion for Broadband Deployment Grants has been stipulated towards Wireless (see section 3102 of this Act). The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) will be carrying out the program designed to award grants to eligible entities for the non-recurring costs associated with the deployment of broadband infrastructure in rural, suburban, and urban areas.
The section of the Act relating to Wireless Deployment Grants, states the priorities as (i) wireless voice service in un-served areas and (ii) advanced wireless broadband service in underserved areas which are defined as those not representing, in the aggregate, more than 20 percent of the population or of the geographic area of such State. Additionally, there is extra consideration for proposals that can be accomplished in the near-term, or timeline of the Act.
CONSIDERATIONS:
There will be a number of one-off opportunities to receive grant funds to build and strengthen your business.
Applicants that have well conceived plans and resources will be given priority consideration. Furthermore, many of the program objectives and implementation processes are quite vague. It behooves prospective participants to engage and shape the process; the NTIA is open and willing to take feedback on your ideas.
That said, one way to increase the likelihood of receiving grant funds are creative, public-private partnerships where you can bring something to the table (i.e., spectrum). Many not-for-profit entities are in some cases better situated for selection over some for-profit only entities. This is driven by a number of the public service stipulations to the Act funds. Conversely these not-for-profits may not have the capabilities to complete the proposals because of their lack of technical ability and/or assets or vice versa. If you don’t already license, one example is to secure, purchase or lease options on available spectrum (see: SpecEx.com) in the intended rural service areas to “bring something to the table.” These organizations can include but are not limited to Cities, Counties, Public Safety, Educational and Healthcare institutions. Finally, by bringing your technical and operational know-how as a WISP, you would add tremendous value to the success of these organizations’ proposals and your business plans.
KEY DATES:
Public Meetings Schedule:
- March 16 (Washington, DC)
- March 17 (Las Vegas, NV)
- March 18 (Flagstaff, NM)
- March 19 (Washington, DC)
- March 23 (Washington, DC)
- March 24 (Washington, DC)
These meetings also will be streamed on the Internet (www.ntia.doc.gov).
Funding Schedule:
- April-June 2009
- October-December 2009
- April-June 2010
It is likely that funding for a round will be completed before applications for the following round are submitted. Application deadlines will be announced in Notices of Availability of Funds that will be published in the Federal Register (www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/). (Source Rini Coran)
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