It looks like M2Z Networks is bolstering its case for the free license in the 2155 MHz to 2175 MHz band it wants from the FCC. The company said it inked a wholesale wireless broadband agreement with rural telephone companies--a deal that depends on the company winning its lawsuit against the FCC, which rejected the company's petition to obtain a free 15-year license to build and operate a wireless Internet network to bridge the digital divide.
The deal calls for M2Z to wholesale wireless broadband service to 20 rural wireline operators that in turn would sell the service as part of a bundled offering to customers. M2Z also would purchase access to rural telecom facilities and coordinate marketing with rural telephone service providers.
M2Z filed the suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit this week. M2Z's co-founder, John Muleta is a former FCC Wireless Bureau chief, and he claims the FCC violated a number of laws when it rejected its case.
To read more about M2Z's rural deal:
- check out this article from RCR News