wireless networks

Verizon’s smartphone direction still chasing AT&T?

Verizon is apparently planning a total smartphone blitzfor the holidays, including the already-discussed Droid from Motorola, but also according to rumor, a new HTC Android smartphone and perhaps a third model as well.

The Verizon moves are, we think, are calculated to make things complicated for AT&T and Apple with the iPhone for the holidays. A multiplicity of models at various sizes and price points makes sense at this stage in the market, but there is no question Apple still has the cachet that other smartphones have so far been unable to match.

We think all of these smartphone wars are a signal that whatever the FCC might do with wireless net neutrality, operators are committed to the mobile web.

Service provider capex takes off in second half 09

Service providers are planning to increase their capital spending in the second half of the year, according to a number of financial industry and media sources. The exact percentage of increase and the way it will be distributed among vendors hasn’t been reported.

But our current data suggests providers will spend between 18% and 40% more in the second half of the year than the first, that spending will be balanced so wireless gets about 35% more than wireline, and that edge and metro networks will get a bigger boost than deeper core (in large part because the former groups were cut more in 1H09). As we’ve noted before, we expect most of the money to be spent between mid-September and the end of the year.