Interesting example of MetroPCS meeting with town zoning board.

I have found a number of town meeting/ selectman/ Zoning Board meeting minutes that wireless carries have to go to in order to win town approval to build or add onto an existing site. It usually gives some advance info on where local sites will be built (and where I can keep an eye out to get some photos!).
In this example, from the town of Methuen, Mass Zoning Board, there is some expanded discussion on the permit application. It makes for an interesting read, especially the Zoning Board asking "exactly who is?" MetroPCS, since in July 2008, most people outside the industry in New England had never even heard of them!

MetroPCS launches Boston Service!

MetroPCS has finally launched their Boston service after approximately a one year build out. By using their web sites coverage finder, it looks like the current covered area is primarily inside Rte 495, with mainly the major routes covered, as well as the major population centers. If you live in the outskirts of a town in the suburbs, you are probably out of luck for getting a signal. It reminds me of both SprintPCS and TMobile (when it was Omnipoint)about 9 or 10 years ago! I'm still working on getting a MetroPCS site spotlighted, but it seems for now they are simply adding their antennas to existing towers. I guess we can say 'welcome to Boston' to a new carrier, bringing us to six in Massachusetts!

MetroPCS trouble adding cell sites thru Massachusetts

Here is an article from the Lawrence Eagle Tribune regarding MetroPCS (along with TMobile) trying to add a cell site in a church steeple in North Andover, MA. They are trying to rapidly build out their network, and may be finding that with five other networks already built up here in Massachusetts, it's not as easy to find towers with space available on them. The article mentions that the flagpole antenna at the Stevens Estate (Osgood Hill) is full, I have pictures of that site here.

Sprint building out 'Clear' WiMax service in Boston!

I have been on the lookout for the Sprint 'Clear' (formerly Xohm) WiMax antennas and base stations in the Boston area. I have been reading that they are building out their network throughout the area. As soon as I have some photos and information on the antenna configuration, I will be posting it here, and on Cellulartower.com
I also believe that MetroPCS is getting closer to launching in the Boston market. I have not gotten any specific photos yet, but have noticed a number of sites that have added antenna arrays recently, where all the other legacy carriers were already accounted for. More to come....

MetroPCS uses DAS to speed rollout in New England

MetroPCS is hopping in on the two DAS systems in Massachusetts to help them build out the area network a little quicker. The Andover system is already built and running, but the Brookline system seems to be a source of controversy. A local newspaper article gives some insight into the turmoil that surrounds this system build out.
Distributed Antenna Systems can eliminate the need for cell towers, but in a town (city) like Brookline, that has lot's of multi-story buildings, a cell site can easily be 'hidden' on the roofs of some of the taller buildings. Tall buildings such as the Brook House Condominiums, which are about 1o stories tall, can easily house multiple carriers, with minimal aesthetic impact.
As MetroPCS builds out, I will be watching to keep you informed and up to date.

MetroPCS Coming To New England?!?!?!?

Is MetroPCS a cell phone provider that primarily offers service in Florida, California, and Texas coming to New England? On January 25th, MetroPCS was looking for a VP of Network Operations for a Chelmsford, MA location. The job description is looking for someone to : " Plan, organize and direct the process of the Fixed and Field Network Engineering, RF Engineering. Manage the leasing, zoning, construction, deployment and optimization of the regional area BTA’s encompassing a population base. Responsible for continuing growth and operations of the regional system. Manage the negotiations of all vendors for the region. " In addition, they are looking for Switch Techs, Cell Techs, Site Acquisition Specialists, Construction Managers, PR and Sales Professionals.

From an article in September 2006 in the Dallas Business Journal:

According to data from the Federal Communications Commission, which held the auction that ended last week, MetroPCS acquired eight licenses covering geographic areas with a total population of more than 144 million people.

The three largest areas cover roughly the Northeast and New England area (on a bid of $552.7 million); the West Coast, stretching into parts of the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest desert and past Idaho (a $355.7 million bid); and New York City, along with Long Island and parts of New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont ($364 million).

It looks to me like they are getting ready to join the wireless market in New England and begin building out their network.

From the job descriptions, it looks like they will be running Lucent Base stations utilizing CDMA, and a 5ESS Lucent Switch for their network!

I'll keep you posted! If you have any info or something to add, please email me at peter at cellulartower dot com.