MONET EXPANDS DO IN MIDWEST

Monet Networks expanded beyond its initial Duluth, Minn., market, bringing its CDMA 1x EV-DO (data only) networks to six more markets in the upper Midwest.

The independent data carrier now has networks operating in Superior and Eau Claire, Wis.; Grand Forks, Bismarck and Fargo, N.D.; and Sioux Falls, S.D. The markets encompass 600,000 pops, almost a third of the 2 million people in its license area.

“We've picked off the big fish,” said George Tronsrue, Monet chairman and CEO. “There are other cities I'd like to do, but after only 11 months in operations we've already managed to expand quite a bit. We'll bring on other markets as the capital becomes available.”

Verizon Wireless launched its first EV-DO networks earlier this month, marking the first time a major U.S. wireless carrier instituted true third-generation services (Telephony, October 6, 2003). While the industry is watching Verizon closely, Monet has been quietly operating for almost a year.

“Customers have been evenly split between laptop users and desktop users, and between consumers and business,” Tronsrue said. “We don't have one particular type of user.”

The only thing that customers seem to have in common is they stay put, with 80% never leaving their markets, he said.

Still, Tronsrue has bigger plans for his fledgling 3G networks up north. More EV-DO devices are hitting the market. In addition, Qualcomm is releasing dual-technology chips that will allow EV-DO to operate on the same devices that any voice technology, including GSM, operates on. Tronsrue said he hopes to strike partnerships with voice carriers — and not just with CDMA carriers. The notion of high-speed wireless networks running at DSL speeds will appeal to carriers of all technologies.