Cellular South moves into Tennessee, Georgia via Banana spectrum purchase

Regional operator Cellular South plans to venture into new markets in Tennessee and Georgia via the acquisition of two PCS spectrum licenses from Banana Communications Ventures. In an FCC filing, Cellular South also hinted that it plans to eventually deploy LTE network technology in the areas as part of a wider upgrade to the next-generation network technology.

A Cellular South representative declined to disclose the financial terms of the transaction, though he noted the deal only includes spectrum and no network assets. Thus, Cellular South presumably would have to deploy a network in the areas before offering service.

Cellular South has previously indicated it will move to LTE technology in the future.

Cellular South's expansion into areas of Tennessee and Georgia dovetails with the carrier's recent acquisition of Corr Wireless, a small operator based mainly in northeastern Alabama and parts of Georgia.

Cellular South is a private company and does not report its customer numbers. A company representative said the operator counts just over 870,000 subscribers.

As for Banana Communications Ventures, the entity appears to have backed Smart PCS, an unlimited, prepaid CDMA carrier that offered services in areas of Tennessee and Georgia. According to local media reports, Smart PCS abruptly discontinued service late last year.

Interestingly, according to the FCC, Banana Communications Ventures holds one more PCS spectrum license, covering parts of Kentucky.

Attempts to contact Banana Communications Ventures were unsuccessful.

For more:
- see this FCC filing

Related Articles:
Cellular South completes deal for Corr Wireless
Cellular South, citing favoritism, ditches CTIA
Cellular South selling HTC Hero for $99