https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Solutions Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501 Rankings
    • MSP 501 Information Center
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2022 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501
    • Channel Influencers
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Channel Partners 101 (CP 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Solutions Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501 Rankings
    • MSP 501 Information Center
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2022 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501
    • Channel Influencers
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Channel Partners 101 (CP 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Agents
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • Channel Partners Events
 Channel Futures

Telephony/UC/Collaboration


MCI, Sprint Take Wireless "Last Mile"

  • Written by Channel
  • June 30, 1999

Posted: 07/1999

Business News

MCI, Sprint Take Wireless "Last Mile"
By Charlotte Wolter

With MCI WorldCom Inc. rumored to have offered more than $300 million for PrimeOne
Tele-TV, Austin, Texas, a multichannel multipoint distribution service (MMDS) system (also
called wireless cable) serving the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, the move by
certain long distance service providers into MMDS is fast becoming a stampede.

An MCI spokesperson says the company "has not confirmed" the reports about
PrimeOne, but the wireless cable firm represents one of the last large blocks of MMDS
licenses in the hands of a smaller operator. Besides its Los Angeles system, which has
65,000 video services subscribers, PrimeOne also holds MMDS licenses in San Diego; San
Francisco; Palm Springs, Calif.; and Seattle.

MCI also purchased a controlling interest in (as well as the debt of) CAI Wireless
Inc., Albany, N.Y., and Sprint Corp. acquired People’s Choice TV Inc. (PCTV), Stamford,
Conn., and American Telecasting Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo. Atlanta-based BellSouth
Corp. holds a large number of licenses in its territory. It has built systems in New
Orleans and Atlanta for video services, and has announced plans for systems in several
other cities.

It is believed that the long distance companies will try to use their newly acquired
bandwidth to offer telephony as well as high-speed Internet access. MMDS gives long
distance service providers a "last mile" connection to businesses and consumers
using microwave transmissions in the 2.5 gigahertz (gHz) to 2.7gHz bandwidth.

"If you are an MCI or, less so, a Sprint, when you look at what AT&T Corp. is
doing [with the purchases of Tele-Communications Inc. and MediaOne] it has to scare the
pants off of you, because, what is your local access strategy?" says Robert
Rosenberg, president, Insight Research Corp. Inc., Parsippany, N.J. "Fixed broadband
wireless is clearly a major play for MCI if they want to stay in the consumer
market."

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) originally licensed MMDS for one-way video
transmissions, but recently has changed the regulations to accommodate two-way
transmissions. PCTV already offers one-way high-speed data on its Detroit system with a
telco return path, and just debuted two-way high-speed data in Phoenix in a service called
SpeedChoice.

SpeedChoice had planned to add Internet protocol (IP) telephony to its service mix,
although that plan may change under Sprint, which has favored asynchronous transfer mode
(ATM) because of its superior quality of service (QoS).

Among the advantages of MMDS, cost is foremost. The companies that hold the licenses
are, for the most part, in financial straits–though PCTV may be an exception–and can be
purchased for a relative song.

In addition, MMDS technology itself is low-cost compared to the expense of overbuilding
the existing phone or cable systems. The last mile of this technology can be as far as 35
miles over flat terrain, though repeaters may be needed for certain areas. Transmitters
can be set up quickly, and customer premises equipment (CPE) is installed only when there
is an order.

A larger problem than transmitters may be set-top receivers for customers, says
wireless technology consultant Wesley Vivian, Ann Arbor, Mich. "The question is, how
do you match the production volume that cable can get [for set-tops], because, if you
don’t, you’re not in business," he says.

The PrimeOne MMDS system was built by Pacific Bell, San Francisco, which decided to get
out of the video business and sold it to PrimeOne after being acquired by SBC
Communications Inc., San Antonio, in 1997.

Tags: Agents Telephony/UC/Collaboration

Most Recent


  • Josh Stamer
    Images: D&H Distributing Mid-Atlantic Thread Event Featuring Intel, Lenovo
    The distributor also focused on digital transformation, SMB devices and more.
  • Microsoft Teams on different devices
    8x8 Mobilizes Microsoft Gold Partners Around New Channel Program
    The program leverages 8x8 Voice for Microsoft Teams, which supports more than 200,000 Teams users worldwide.
  • M&A
    Cloudli Buys ConnectMeVoice, Expands U.S. Reach
    ConnectMeVoice processes more than 12 million calls each month.
  • Digital handshake
    New Supplier Agreements: Upstack Signs CallTower, Avant Adds Netacea
    Avant expanded its cybersecurity portfolio, while Upstack formed another direct vendor agreement.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • PlanetOne Gainey Golf Event Feature
    PlanetOne Golf Event: In-Person Channel Networking Makes Big Comeback
  • Lawsuit
    FTC Lawsuit: Frontier Communications Misled Customers About DSL Speeds
  • SaaS provider
    8x8 XCaaS Eliminates Silos, Optimizes Customer Experience
  • Welcome stick figures
    Another Telarus Alum Joins Scott Forbush at Upstack

Upcoming Events

View all

MSP Summit

September 13, 2022 - September 16, 2022

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

May 1, 2023 - May 4, 2023

Galleries

View all

8 Channel People Making Waves This Week at Splunk, Telarus, More

June 24, 2022

Human Casualties from Cybercrime, More Zero Trust Among Gartner Cybersecurity Predictions

June 24, 2022

Images: D&H Distributing Mid-Atlantic Thread Event Featuring Intel, Lenovo

June 24, 2022

Industry Perspectives

View all

Why MSPs are Attractive Cyberattack Targets

June 24, 2022

IT Partner Programs Must Evolve to Meet Market Demands

June 21, 2022

How Your Organization Can Benefit from the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

June 20, 2022

Webinars

View all

VEP Platform for Delivery of uCPE, SD-WAN and SASE

June 29, 2022

The Digital Worker: How to Empower Customers with a Flexible, Scalable VDI Solution to Enable Remote Work

June 30, 2022

Growing Partner Revenue and Customer Satisfaction with Power Management Services

June 23, 2022

White Papers

View all

Work Goes Remote – (and Other Top ITOps Trends)

May 25, 2022

The New Bottom Line: How MSPs Can Meet the Healthcare Crisis While Evolving Their Businesses

April 19, 2022

How to build a Security Operations Center (on a budget)

April 4, 2022

Channel Futures TV

View all

AT&T, Microsoft, Cisco, ThreatLocker on Unlocking Partner Potential

Agents Share ‘Secrets,’ Industry Opportunity

May 11, 2022

Vonage Addresses Potential Partner Opportunity via Acquisition by Ericsson

May 5, 2022

Lumen Technologies ‘Built for Growth and Scale’

May 4, 2022

Twitter

ChannelFutures

Channel people making waves this week include: @garylsteele, @fredvoccola, @kbarday, @stephenorban, @gabekker,… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 24, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@Zendesk being acquired by group of global investors, taking the #CRM provider private. dlvr.it/SSnpwZ https://t.co/jaZdeqxoU3

June 24, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@Broadcom is planning @Vmware closing, promises "open mind"-- will draw on lessons of @CAinc and @symantec… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 24, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@Gartner_inc lists 8 #cybersecurity predictions, including more human casualties from #cyberattacks.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 24, 2022
ChannelFutures

Is your company a prime target for cyberattacks? Here's what MSPs need to know. @BarracudaMSP #cyberattacks… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 24, 2022
ChannelFutures

A huge round of applause 👏 to our 2022 top ten managed service providers from around the world as named on the Chan… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 24, 2022
ChannelFutures

RT @MSP_Summit: Early Bird pass prices for Channel Partners Leadership Summit, MSP Summit, & Women's Leadership Summit end at 11:59 p.m. ES…

June 24, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@dsm_IT is now the third acquisition by @thrivenetworks in Florida in the last six months. dlvr.it/SSmxQn https://t.co/cswaMztP6o

June 24, 2022

MSP 501

The industry's largest and most comprehensive partner awards program.

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Galleries

Educational slide shows and images from live events.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Events
  • Telecoms.com
  • MSP 501
  • Black Hat
  • IoT World Today
  • Omdia

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X