I don't know how you can really peer forward into the new year at this point, given our experience across the last 6 months...one thing for sure -- it's going to be filled with change (but maybe not the kind we're looking for?)...
At least we have the election primaries to entertain us...I wonder though, if the election's outcome and it's potential effects on the economy will have an influence over how the carriers and service providers plan and execute work across the AZ market? Only time will tell...
LightSquared's tribulations continue and the wrangling over GPS interference just keeps getting in the way of their progress...but it hasn't stopped them from inking deals (up to 37 entities at this point)...and it looks like someone's trying to buy some of their debt... things are definitely not going to sit on the status quo there for long.
AT&T and T-Mobile are shaking off the merger explorations and charting new courses ahead...and we're sure to see action from both of these guys this year -- it's hard to know how that's going to affect the AZ market though...T-Mobile is selling some towers, and AT&T is reheating some old relationships...Will T-Mobile pickup where it left off mid year 2011 when it put things on hold pending the merger?
Verizon is going to be doing some generator work and finishing up last year's production which was a little slow to conclude...I was hoping for bold moves there, to make strides while T-Mob and AT&T were wrapped in the merger talks...but nothing seemed to gel in this market...
Clearwire and Sprint seem to be checking out alternatives too...there could be losers and winners there...
Bottom line -- it's hard to tell where things are going and I've read that some carriers are limiting their CapEx this year -- it could be an odd, pieces/parts kind of year and a lean one for the ICs and vendors...kind of like how things went in the early 2000s when the tech bubble burst and all the money dried up...?
One thing's for sure, just like on any commercial flight -- you should keep your seatbelt fastened in case of turbulence...
RES
