The next step has been taken in an effort to provide 100% broadband coverage in the US. LTE wholesale service provider LightSquared has signed the rural broadband carrier OpenRange as a reseller and is said to be in negotiations with Sprint, T-Mobile or both for similar deals. LightSquared has said it will not sell directly to consumers, only at wholesale to resellers like OpenRange. Service is expected to begin in the latter half of 2011.
LightSquared has said it’ll offer LTE at wholesale in three versions: terrestrial-only, satellite-only or integrated satellite-terrestrial. The deal includes a two-way roaming agreement.
OpenRange received funds for rural broadband coverage under the US broadband stimulus program. It is building its own LTE terrestrial network.
”This partnership enables LightSquared to provide an enlarged and seamless nationwide 4G-LTE footprint to all of our retail partners and their customers,” said LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja.
The two companies said their agreement will bring broadband to consumers, businesses, Indian tribes, public safety operations and others.
There is concern that LightSquared’s network will interfere with GPS.
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