Summary
Initial LTE devices, like those for mobile WiMAX, will come in the form of data cards and dongles, and only later as handhelds.
Analysis
MetroPCS, like Sprint Nextel with Clearwire, will initially target heavy data users with its LTE deployments to increase its revenues and ARPU. As dual mode LTE/CDMA2000 devices become available, probably voice calls from and to LTE subscribers will use the CDMA rather than the LTE network, although eventually voice over LTE will be implemented. An intriguing question in the case of MetroPCS is that it has stated that it will offer LTE in all its major metropolitan areas. Yet it only acquired 700MHz spectrum in the Boston area (the frequency in which Verizon will roll out LTE). So either MetroPCs will also roll out LTE in its AWS frequencies, and/or it will be trying to acquire or otherwise gain access to 700MHz spectrum in its other metropolitan markets.
This author consults with leading institutions through GLG
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
