Former Sprint Corp. CFO Joseph Euteneuer is joining Colorado-based Rivada Networks as co-CEO.
Rivada is a spectrum-sharing company — or wholesale-only wireless provider — that “allocates LTE network resources to wholesale buyers of wireless bandwidth,” according to a release. Its Open Access Market allows bidders to buy bandwidth in real time or in response to market demand to address the “urgent need to use wireless spectrum and networks more efficiently.” That’s because the demand for mobile data is growing at nearly 50 percent a year, according to its website.
Euteneur left the Overland Park-based wireless company (NYSE: S) in August after four years. He was succeeded by Tarek Robbiati, who joined Sprint in August.
Euteneur has a 25-year run in the telecom and media industries, including positions at Qwest Communications (now CenturyLink), XM Satellite Radio and Comcast. The new Rivada co-CEO will work alongside co-CEO Declan Ganley to “change the way wireless networks are built and accessed.” Euteneur first worked with Ganley at Broadnet, a fixed-wireless venture, according to the release.
Euteneur’s appointment is of note because Rivada is bidding to build out a nationwide public safety broadband LTE network for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) in 2018. FirstNet was created by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to provide emergency responders with the first nationwide, high-speed, broadband network dedicated to public safety, according to its website.
It is unclear whether Sprint or other wireless carriers will be bidding, but AT&T Inc. said earlier this year that it planned to pursue the opportunity, according to Fierce Wireless.