Here are the most read stories of the week.
Frontier Communications inks $1.35B cash deal for assets in 4 states
Frontier Communications Corp. is selling its operations and assets in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana for $1.35 billion in cash as it aims to reduce debt and strengthen liquidity. The transaction is expected to close within a year, subject to regulatory approval. Frontier Communications will continue to operate the business until the transaction closes.
Data Dispatch: Analysts: DISH's bid to cut satellite costs amid wireless build a 'prudent move'
While DISH Network Corp. spends heavily on its planned wireless network, the company has found a way to cut a significant fixed cost out of its shrinking satellite video business. The company agreed to acquire EchoStar Corp.'s broadcast satellite service division, including nine direct broadcast satellites, in a tax-free, all-stock transaction valued at about $800 million. Prior to the deal, DISH had paid EchoStar for its broadcast satellite services, with EchoStar reporting service and other revenue from DISH of $378.7 million in 2018.
Apple, Disney streaming services could grab 2 million UK subs each by 2023
Upcoming streaming services from Apple Inc. and Walt Disney Co. could net 2 million subscribers each in the U.K. over the next four years, according to data released by the country's communications regulator Ofcom. Along with the British Broadcasting Corp. and ITV PLC's consolidated video-on-demand service BritBox, set to launch in the U.K. in the latter half of 2019, the three platforms could reach more than 5% of U.K. households by 2023.
Entercom brings Liberated Syndication podcasts to Radio.com
Podcast hosting network Liberated Syndication Inc. partnered with Entercom Communications Corp. to distribute its podcasts on Entercom's integrated digital platform Radio.com. Under the partnership, Radio.com users across the U.S. will have direct access to Libsyn's 62,000 active podcasts totaling more than 4.9 million episodes, according to a May 28 news release.
Gogo to deploy air-to-ground 5G network in 2021
In-flight internet company Gogo Inc. will build an air-to-ground 5G network for business and commercial aviation. Gogo will build the 5G network on its existing infrastructure of over 250 towers and will use unlicensed spectrum in the 2.4GHz range, as well as a proprietary modem and advanced beamforming technology, according to a May 29 news release. Gogo expects the network to be available in 2021.