AT&T, Verizon, others sharpen focus on wireless backhaul

The top four wireline operators--AT&T (NYSE: T), Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), CenturyLink, and Windstream--have become the natural purveyors of fiber to the tower (FTTT) services for wireless operators that need to higher speed backhaul services to accommodate the growth of their existing 3G and 4G LTE networks. AT&T and Verizon face a dual challenge in that they have to serve other wireless operators in their wireline footprints along with AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless. Those internal wireless divisions can be the toughest customers in that they will expect their wireline counterparts to provide a very high level of service and responsiveness. In a special report, the first of four in this new series, FierceTelecom examines how the top four ILECs are tackling the wireless backhaul opportunity. Special report