WBS and iBurst for sale: sources

iBurpts has spectrum in the 2.6GHz range last I checked?

So that would mean LTE for one of the operators.....

I think Vodacom might buy it.... They have the cash...
 
Not really surprised that no one wants to comment. Can't expect anyone to show their cards to the public.
 
If anyone buys them it wont be an existing operator. There are too many international operators looking to get in on the SA market.
 
Nice bill with ICASA waiting for the new owners, besides the lack of integrity shown by iBurst currently - as the article states their assets are only their current backhaul network and spectrum, although that is also being contested by ICASA.

Can't see it being sold at a premium price.
 
It is understood that the WBS shareholders are looking at a selling price of around R500 million.
Click to expand...

Would that be before or after WBS/iBurts has paid its licence fees to ICASA?
 
Hummercellc said:
iBurst has spectrum in the 2.6GHz range last I checked? So that would mean LTE for one of the operators.....
Click to expand...
They have 2.6GHz which can be used for LTE, but I think WBS/iBurst's 1800MHz spectrum is what the mobile operators will be after. Works perfectly with their current networks - no re-farming necessary.
 
Neotel maybe?

Or as I've put forward quite often Naspers might have a big interest in buying out some infrastructure
 
rpm said:
They have 2.6GHz which can be used for LTE, but I think WBS/iBurst's 1800MHz spectrum is what the mobile operators will be after.
Click to expand...
I think both will be equally important in the long run.

The EU has basically standardised on 3 LTE bands, ensuring plenty of future mainstream hardware will be available in this configuration. It would be silly for SA to not follow suit, as our market is too small to warrant custom LTE hw configurations.

LTE Band 3 = 1800MHz (in use currently through re-farming)
LTE Band 7 = 2600MHz (urban capacity expansion)
LTE Band 20 = 800MHz (rural capacity expansion, after DTV cutover).
 
It would be interesting if DD/IS bought them as they have a large base of corporate customers, lots of tech know-how and lots of existing fixed line infrastructure. This would give them the ability to start offering some triple-play type solutions and it would be interesting to see what they come up with since they come from the business and data market.

Where are their towers, would it make any sense for someone like Cell C to consider them? My guess is Cell C already have good infrastructure in the places Iburst have towers, so besides the actual spectrum not sure what it would do for them besides add some costs.
 
If they are sold, they will likely can their network and the spectrum be re-allocated for something else.
Would be nice to get one of those basestation radios to open up and strip
 
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