CENTRAL U.S. -- IPCS cell site addition #'s

[larry]

Sprint affiliate IPCS has added their largest number of new cell sites in one quarter in several years. 67 new sites were added from March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008. That's sure to help make a difference! I suspect that many of those were synergy sites (CDMA added to existing IDEN sites).

[RadioFoneGuy]

Once again buyout speculation comes in to play. I was at a power outage and ran into a Ipcs tech and they all get the vibe from conference calls that this is a sort of ramp up to make the company look more appealing. They have been tweaking the EVDO up to Rev A and adding a ton of sites.

If you remember Dobson the last year before buyout they bragged about building a years worth of towers in 6 months and churn was down and data was up etc.

Also look at Unicel before buyout, they added a ton of sites. More sites equals less dropped calls, less churn. Makes an easier sales pitch to stock holders.

[Bill Clinton]

Originally Posted by RadioFoneGuy

Once again buyout speculation comes in to play.

If you remember Dobson the last year before buyout they bragged about building a years worth of towers in 6 months and churn was down and data was up etc.

Also look at Unicel before buyout, they added a ton of sites. More sites equals less dropped calls, less churn. Makes an easier sales pitch to stock holders.

That's a good point. I would love to see IPCS get bought out, but if they keep building at this rate I will be just as happy. IPCS territory has been known to have problems and I think their network is sub-par. I am very glad to see them aggressively trying to improve their network which has always been inferior to the surrounding Sprint cooperate network.

[cellular_freak]

I know what you mean. I was so shocked to find out that iPCS was putting up a panel on the Dobson tower in my town. I didn't think iPCS would ever venture away for the interstate and come over here into rural Michigan. But they are. If they do a good enough job, maybe I'd think about switching to them down the road. Because as of right now, there's only three cell companies that provide service where I live (Dobson/AT&T, Thumb Cellular, and Nextel).

Does anybody know how long it takes once a panel has been added to a tower how long it takes to become active? I am testing out an old Sprint phone I got off eBay for cheap just to see how the service will be here and it appears that it isn't active yet.

[Bill Clinton]

Sometimes it takes a few months. Knowing IPCS it probably will, but hey they surprised me once by actually attempting to do something right for a change so maybe it will only be a couple weeks before the site is active.

[cellular_freak]

Originally Posted by Bill Clinton

Sometimes it takes a few months. Knowing IPCS it probably will, but hey they surprised me once by actually attempting to do something right for a change so maybe it will only be a couple weeks before the site is active.

Oh, wow. I didn't realize it took so long to bring a panel to life. I guess I'll just keep testing the phone that I have out and just play a waiting game. It'll be interesting. They just put the panels up a couple weeks ago, so we'll see.

[larry]

Usually takes about 3-4 weeks from the time the panels are installed from what I've seen on most sites. But problems can arise and it can sometimes takes longer. I've seen some sit for 4 months before going on air.

[RadioFoneGuy]

Alot of times the wait is on contractors and telco (backhaul). 911 for that tower needs to be set up with the county which uses a contractor as well. Its all about waiting for contractors.

[cellular_freak]

Originally Posted by RadioFoneGuy

Alot of times the wait is on contractors and telco (backhaul). 911 for that tower needs to be set up with the county which uses a contractor as well. Its all about waiting for contractors.

Well what happens if all they're doing is adding a panel to an existing tower?

[larry]

Each carrier still has to have their own telco, e911, etc. which requires seperate contractors.

[RadioFoneGuy]

Originally Posted by cellular_freak

Well what happens if all they're doing is adding a panel to an existing tower?

same thing applies. even if it was Sprint Corporate putting CDMA on a existing iDEN site it would still take awhile. You still have to put brand new equipment at the site, hire a tower company to put up the cables and antennas. You also have to wait for the backhaul lines which can take forever.

Corporate Sprint is easier in that they can pop a cabinet in an existing Nextel building and utilize some of the antenna cables, where as Ipcs has to place a brand new outdoor cabinet and order new electrical service and have brand new lines put on the tower and antennas.

I just seen iPCS finish a site in about 2 months but that doesnt count what they had to do before hand with Leasing, 911 setup, ordering equipment and supplies and anthing else.

[larry]

Originally Posted by cellular_freak

Oh, wow. I didn't realize it took so long to bring a panel to life. I guess I'll just keep testing the phone that I have out and just play a waiting game. It'll be interesting. They just put the panels up a couple weeks ago, so we'll see.

I heard the site in Caro is now on air. Apparently they were testing it though so it might be on and off for a few days until it stays on for good.

Also I heard that one North of Midland went on yesterday.

[cellular_freak]

Originally Posted by larry

I heard the site in Caro is now on air. Apparently they were testing it though so it might be on and off for a few days until it stays on for good.

Also I heard that one North of Midland went on yesterday.

Well that's good to hear. So I'll have to test my phone when I get back home. Do you know if any are going up in the Merrill/Hemlock area?

[larry]

You are referring to the site just South of the 24 right? The one owned by Global Tower Partners?

[cellular_freak]

Originally Posted by larry

You are referring to the site just South of the 24 right? The one owned by Global Tower Partners?

Yes. It's actually right in between M24 on two sides, LOL. Because of the way M24 turns right near there. That's the tower I use when I'm at home because Dobson is on top.

[liagb59]

any going up in Ct

[Bill Clinton]

Originally Posted by liagb59

any going up in Ct

Well the thread was referring to IPCS and Connecticut isn't IPCS territory. IPCS is a company Provides service for Sprint in a small part of the country in return for using the Sprint name and using Sprint corporate's network in the rest of the country.

You can check the Sprint site for coverage maps and if you zoom on your area and there is a tool that shows new and recent towers.

Also think about calling Sprint to complain that coverage is lacking. If it is reported Sprint will know that they have an area that needs fixing. If it doesn't get reported Sprint doesn't fix it because they aren't aware of the problem.

[Dogma]

Originally Posted by larry

I suspect that many of those were synergy sites (CDMA added to existing IDEN sites).

This would not happen, iPCS and Nextel co-locating as synergy sites. It could and is happening with Sprint PCS & iDen sites. iPCS being an affiliate of Sprint means it has no real relationship with Nextel.

[spleck]

Originally Posted by Dogma

This would not happen, iPCS and Nextel co-locating as synergy sites. It could and is happening with Sprint PCS & iDen sites. iPCS being an affiliate of Sprint means it has no real relationship with Nextel.

Just like Verizon and AT&T never co-locate right?

Originally Posted by larry

I suspect that many of those were synergy sites (CDMA added to existing IDEN sites).

In this case would they really be "synergy" sites, or just a standard co-location, probably with some cost savings in there somewhere?