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Telecommunications/Technology

Broadband provider AeroNet spends $4M on spectrum

The 2.5 gigahertz spectrum that Aeronet is leasing will allow it to expand its services.

Broadband service provider AeroNet has entered into a long-term lease agreement  for wireless broadband spectrum with islandwide coverage, at a cost of $4 million, company President Gino Villarini told News is my Business.

The 2.5 gigahertz spectrum that AeroNet is leasing will allow it to expand its services, and “catapults Aeronet as the only licensed Internet and Data Service Provider in Puerto Rico,” Villarini said.

Traditionally, telecom providers have used the 2.5 Ghz spectrum for customer access and so-called last mile — or access to the home or place of business — services. Stateside, the largest holder and user of 2.5 Ghz spectrum is Clearwire, which uses it to provide broadband access to its customers through Wi-max and 4G LTE technology.

“Our immediate plan for this spectrum is to utilize it for backhaul and last mile access for our customers. Currently, we’re conducting equipment tests on high capacity point-to-point equipment from various vendors,” Villarini said. “Future plans include the use of the band for a 4G TD-LTE-Advanced deployment following the industry trend for higher capacity networks.”

AeroNet has been on a growth spurt in recent years, investing $1.5 million last year to upgrade its network, which so far is used to offer broadband access, dedicated Internet access and Metro Ethernet, a service that allows business to interconnect remote branch offices or locations.

“But 2013 is the year [when] we will make our biggest network expansion yet by deploying a complete new 4G wireless network on our new 2.5 Ghz band,” he said.

“The possibilities are endless with our new spectrum acquisition. It’s a known fact that mobile broadband subscribers require more capacity every day, more capacity requires more spectrum. We are positioning ourselves to fill a gap on this need,” Villarini said.

AeroNet is a private company established in 2001, to provides data and Internet access services to Puerto Rico businesses, including Vieques, Culebra and extending to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
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