Expanding ExteNet, GNW carrier wholesale operation attracts Sprint, VoLTE carrier customers

ExteNet Systems and Great Northwest Woods Wireless (GNW) are partnering on an LTE network expansion which will help boost coverage and service for Sprint (NYSE: S) and other carriers seeking VoLTE and data roaming services in the northern New England region.

Under the deal, ExteNet will provide network infrastructure to support various wireless service applications, including the carrier wholesale operations. ExteNet will leverage its Distributed Evolved Packet Core (EPC) integrated with Nokia's Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with an innovative provider like GNW and the ExteNet team is looking forward to helping GNW achieve its goals," said Jason Osborne, ExteNet's vice president of business development, in a statement.

"This approach gives us great flexibility over the longer term for the opportunities we plan to address in our region," said GNW President and CEO Robert Parsloe in a statement.

For rural expansion projects like GNW's newly announced work to bring LTE service to underserved parts of New England, DAS and small cell providers like ExteNet may provide an easier route than attempting to set up traditional macro cell sites.

Last year, ExteNet CTO Tormod Larsen said DAS deployments are now starting to pop up more in Tier 2 markets, outside of denser urban areas.

This is not the first network coverage expansion and improvement deal involving Sprint and ExteNet. In 2013, Sprint and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) both signed on to a coverage deal with ExteNet's DAS deployed at the Empire State Building.

For more:
- see this press release

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