AT&T Wireless and Sprint to cooperate in the construction of new wireless towers - Standards - Brief Article

Mobile Internet, The, Feb, 2003

AT&T Wireless and Sprint announced they have signed an agreement through which they will cooperate in the construction of new wireless towers. The agreement will enable the companies to reduce the number of towers they build and the capital expenditures associated with this activity. As such, they plan to expand and enhance their wireless footprints throughout the United States faster and at a lower cost. AT&T Wireless and Sprint lead the wireless industry in the number of towers they operate.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies' Network Services groups will share information about their current tower inventories and future construction plans. They will then identify areas of overlap - for example, a community in which both companies want to build a tower - and decide which company will build and maintain the tower and which will co-locate its network facilities on it. This approach will reduce redundant construction, making it easier for both companies to serve the communities in which they want to add or expand wireless coverage. In addition to coordinating future tower construction activities, the companies will continue to cooperate on making the best use of their current tower inventories, including co-location when it is appropriate. AT&T Wireless and Sprint expect to begin implementing the agreement in the first quarter of 2003. Financial terms were not disclosed.