CenturyTel reveals plans for 700 MHz licenses

Rural independent local exchange carrier (ILEC) CenturyTel revealed its plans for the 700 MHz spectrum it won at auction last month. Rather than becoming a service provider, the telco plans to use the licenses to create a broadband wireless overlay network to serve less densely populated areas within its existing wireline footprint. The company did not reveal what technology it plans to deploy nor a timeline for when it will construct the network.

"While it is too early to discuss financial and operational details, we are acquiring spectrum that overlaps our core ILEC and fiber transport networks," CEO Glen Post said in a statement. "This should enable us to utilize our existing operations, including our current distribution and technical support infrastructure, to cost-effectively deploy wireless services, both in our existing markets and in selective contiguous markets, where we believe profitable growth is achievable."

To read more about CenturyTel's 700 MHz plans:
- check out this article [1] from Telephony

Related article:
- CenturyTel: Profit higher, outlook tempered Report on CenturyTel's 4Q earnings [2] 
- Biggest indie telco makes IPTV move Report on CenturyTel's Columbia, Mo. project [3]