BTIG Expects AT&T to Replace More Than Half of Antennas in FirstNet Build
Among big developments from Q2 calls are AT&T’s announcement that FirstNet spending will start this year and Verizon’s projections of increased spending on its wireless build (see 1707270037), BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk wrote Friday. AT&T is likely to replace more…
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than half the antennas in its network as part of FirstNet, Piecyk said. “Six states have opted in to FirstNet to date and AT&T can begin its work in those areas as soon as that begins. It is likely that AT&T will increase its wireless investments in 2018 based on this project.” Piecyk expects a 60 percent increase in Verizon’s wireless capital expenditures in the second half of the year compared with the first half. “Verizon indicated that the second half investments will be focused on fiber and small cells,” he said. Other noteworthy developments include T-Mobile’s promise to start deploying in the 600 MHz band in August and Crown Castle’s “doubling down on small cell exposure,” he said.