Verizon plans to enter the communications business in Alaska. The company is seeking approval to acquire the 700 megahertz spectrum in Alaska, which it already holds in most of the Lower 48.
“The transaction will allow Verizon Wireless, which currently holds no spectrum in Alaska, to provide voice, broadband data and other wireless products and services in a new service area," the company said in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, reported on the website rcrwireless.com.
Verizon, the largest wireless company in the U.S., said the application is in the public interest because it will increase competition in Alaska. It intends to buy the license from Triad 700, a company that paid $1.8 million for the rights in a 2008 auction.
"Because Verizon Wireless holds no spectrum in Alaska, no competitive concerns are implicated with respect to the proposed assignment. Triad has not yet begun to provide service over the spectrum that is the subject of this application, and therefore no customers are jeopardized or will lose service as a result of this transaction. Moreover, the proposed transaction will increase competition in Alaska by allowing Verizon Wireless to enter Alaska markets as a new wireless competitor."
On its website, Triad had said it planned to "provide new and innovative competitive wireless services to previously under-served customers." The company boasted of holding a "very deep spectrum position in Alaska" that covered the entire state.
It said, the "700 MHz spectrum is the highest power, lowest frequency wireless mobility spectrum ever auctioned by the FCC. No lower frequency mobility spectrum is slated for auction in the future. Low frequency spectrum has superior propagation characteristics when compared to higher frequency spectrum like Cellular, PCS, MMDS or AWS. Radio signals at 700 MHz can travel greater distances, and can penetrate buildings and vehicles easier than radio signals at higher frequencies. Because of these advantages, wireless networks utilizing 700 MHz spectrum require fewer transmission sites, translating into cost and quality advantages for network operators."
"With the completion of the transition of broadcast television from analog to digital (completed June 12, 2009), 700 MHz licenses are now clear for initial deployment of mobility networks. This timing coincides nicely with evolutionary changes underway in broadband wireless network technology. This next generation technology will allow wireless networks to efficiently carry high volumes of data and voice traffic at a fraction of the cost of today’s networks. This next generation network efficiency, combined with the cost and quality advantages associated with 700 MHz spectrum, will put Triad in a unique position to be the low-cost provider of broadband wireless services in its coverage areas."
"Triad 700, LLC is controlled by Barry Lewis and Craig Viehweg. Non-controlling investors include M/C Venture Partners, Highland Capital, Ignition Partners, Battery Ventures and individual investors from the wireless industry."
As you notice from the article, Verizon does not have their own towers in AK. When you are on the North Slope you are roaming on ACS equipment. So your great service up there is actually provided by ACS. If your friends up there have an ACS phone that is malfunctioning while yours is working fine, then that would most likely be a handset issue and not and ACS network issue.
http://www.acsalaska.com/personal/wireless/coverage-maps.asp
This is no longer true. Check out ACS's new map of coverage in the lower 48.
I just brought my daughter down to college and the service was abyssmal! Absolutely horrible! It had been fine on earlier trips, so I started doing some checking and found the the map very different than before.
ACS has the most coverage in Alaska, 3G and voice both. Second is ATT (much less 3G) and third GCI with minimal tower coverage. GCI has the lowest rates, but it looks like it is because of the subparr coverage. Right now Verizon roams on ACS and ACS on Verizon when out of state.
What would be good is if Verizon buys ACS, a win for everyone, they would have the best coverage and be able to provide the best phones too. The buying power of companys like ACS and GCI is much smaller then ATT and Verizon would fix that issue.
Methodical, GCI's roaming partner is actually T-Mobile which is a GSM carrier. Digitel, a CDMA carrier would likely be with Sprint as you said.
I'm excited that when Verizon offers services in Alaska I will be able to have a 907 number and continue to receive the same outstanding service.
Yes, if they cannot compete they are history. Do you really want to drive a AMC Gremlin today?
My brother, who lives in the lower 48 and has Verizon service tells me he has not bought a new charger in years. If you don't upgrade your phone/ you don't need a new charger.
If ACS and GCI have such great service and lower prices then the national carriers why would Verizon drive the out? I think ACS and GCI are more expensive then ATT. Verizon would be good if it came up here. Most people have ATT not ACS or GCI, because there service is not as good.
Verizon could lease the spectrum to ACS, who will roll out a 4G network (eventually). Verizon gets to continue to brag about alaska coverage, ACS gets to brag about L48 coverage. best of all for both companies, they will continue to use the same tower and handset gear, thus maintaining compatible roaming coverage in the future.
ACS's roaming partner in the L48 is verizon, GCI/digitels is sprint.