Verizon Buys ISP Starry To Expand Wireless Broadband (theverge.com) 7
Verizon is acquiring Starry, the struggling wireless ISP that beams high-speed internet via millimeter-wave antennas. The company said the acquisition "advances" its ability to offer high-speed internet in apartments, condominiums, and other multi-dwelling units. The Verge reports: Starry made its debut in Boston in 2016, offering gigabit speeds via its unconventional approach to internet connectivity. Instead of carrying connectivity across a web of wires -- which are expensive and time-consuming to deploy -- Starry beams its internet service from a larger antenna into homes via high-speed, short-range mmWave broadcasts. The challenge with those broadcasts is that Starry connections generally require an uninterrupted line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver, as mmWave signals can be easily blocked.
In recent years, Starry has run into trouble, with the company laying off half of its workers in 2022 and filing for bankruptcy in 2023. It also pulled out of one of its markets, Columbus, Ohio, leaving Starry with nearly 100,000 customers across Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. It sounds like Starry's tech will end up getting used by Verizon. Through the acquisition, Verizon plans on expanding its ability to deliver internet connectivity in urban locations, building on its 5G home internet and growing fiber footprint. Verizon expects the deal to close in 2026, subject to regulatory approval. "Verizon is uniquely positioned to accelerate this expansion because of its significant fiber backbone and extensive holdings of mmWave spectrum," the company said in its press release.
In recent years, Starry has run into trouble, with the company laying off half of its workers in 2022 and filing for bankruptcy in 2023. It also pulled out of one of its markets, Columbus, Ohio, leaving Starry with nearly 100,000 customers across Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. It sounds like Starry's tech will end up getting used by Verizon. Through the acquisition, Verizon plans on expanding its ability to deliver internet connectivity in urban locations, building on its 5G home internet and growing fiber footprint. Verizon expects the deal to close in 2026, subject to regulatory approval. "Verizon is uniquely positioned to accelerate this expansion because of its significant fiber backbone and extensive holdings of mmWave spectrum," the company said in its press release.
Starry? The Pepsi Product? (Score:2)
For a minute there, I thought you were talking about Starry [starrylemonlime.com], the lemon-lime soda from Pepsi. And I was pondering whether they were buying it only for their employee lounges or buying the entire chain. But this makes even less sense. :-D
What happens when part of a giant telecom oligopoly swallows a failing competitor that only exists in a handful of markets? Prices go up. Service goes down. The rich get richer. The poor get poorer. And the free market dies just a little bit more.
What happens when it
Re: (Score:2)
You can definitely get away with using someone else's trademark if you're in a different industry.
"You can do it. We can help." - is that Home Depot? Or is it Nicorette Gum? Technically, the latter may have abandoned the trademark
Incidentally, Pepsi abandoned the trademark for Slice and another company started up selling soda under the brand name Slice without ever having to pay money to Pepsi.
Coke had the Fruitopia brand way back when and that name later got used for hair care products. I don't think m
require an uninterrupted line of sight (Score:2)
Licenses (Score:2)
What's more likely is they'll consume the companies mm-wave licensed spectrum and add it to their own.
Re: (Score:2)
Not just the licenses. The contracts with landlords will now be owned by Verizon. They provide Internet for apartment buildings.