T-Mobile and Leap Wireless, which owns the Cricket brand, confirmed on Monday that the two carriers are swapping spectrum to better improve their 3G and 4G coverage. T-Mobile will use this spectrum to improves its HSPA+ network and prepare for its future LTE network, while Leap will use it to extends its coverage and prepare for LTE. The financial terms of the deal were not announced.
Under the plan, Leap Wireless will get additional spectrum in Phoenix, Ariz., Houston, Galveston, and Bryan College Station, Texas. Leap and its partner carrier Savary Island Wireless will assign spectrum to T-Mobile and its joint-partner Cook Wireless in Alabama, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Addiotnal swaps between T-Mobile, Leap and Cook will take place in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Del., Atlantic City, N.J., and markets in Texas and New Mexico. Lastly, Leap and Cook will exchange spectrum in Texas.
[Via CNET]