FCC gives green light to AT&T acquisition of numerous spectrum licenses

Today, the FCC approved, en masse, a series of spectrum acquisitions which encompass 608 cellular market areas (CMA), in the Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) and Wireless Cellular Service (WCS) bands. In all, the licenses, which will be acquired from several different companies, cover about 82% of the US population in the lower 48 states.

While the license spread is complex, it basically boils down to four separate transactions. AT&T will be acquiring, or assigned spectrum currently belonging to Comcast, Horizon Wi-Com, NextWave Wireless and San Diego Gas & Electric. For those that are wondering what an electric company would do with spectrum, many utilities use it to establish “Smart Grid” systems, enabling remote meter reading and other telemetry.

What is most significant about this finding from the FCC is how it relates to the WCS spectrum. This frequency band, in the 2.3GHz range, also contains the frequencies used by Sirius-XM satellite radio (called SDARS – Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service). Just this past October, the FCC revised the rules to allow more use of spectrum adjacent to the frequencies used by Sirius-XM. AWS is more familiar as it houses the 1700MHz block that is also used by T-Mobile USA.

There were a few issues raised in petitions against the transactions, but the FCC rejected them all. AT&T’s plans for this spectrum are plain and simple: LTE. For those that are cheering the decision and hoping to see 5-bars on your devices right away, you can settle down a bit. The build out of the infrastructure for using this spectrum will occur over the next few years, plus, devices with the appropriate radios to use it need to be introduced to the market as well.

It is very good news for AT&T. What will also be interesting to see going forward, is how the FCC treats pending deals between SoftBank and Sprint, Sprint and Clearwire, as well as T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS. From a spectrum holding standpoint, this announcement may actually grease the skids for the aforementioned pending deals.

source: FCC, AT&T via PhoneScoop and Engadget

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FCC allows Dish Network to use spectrum for cellular network

Taking one giant step toward its goal of becoming a major mobile carrier, Dish Network received approval from the FCC to change some of its spectrum used for satellite transmissions, into spectrum for a land based cellular network. The spectrum owned by the satellite content provider, 40MHz in the AWS-4 band, isn't considered the best for celllular transmissions, but is usable. On Tuesday, a Dish spokesman said the company will "consider its strategic options and the optimal approach to put this spectrum to use for the benefit of consumers." The FCC did put some conditions on Dish. Sprint, which had been against giving Dish this permission in the first place, uses the spectrum near AWS-4 and as a result the FCC limited how much spectrum Dish can use. The FCC also limited Dish's power levels as well so as to prevent its signal from interfering with nearby signals from other carriers. The result is that Dish will have a smaller amount of spectrum it can use when it launches its network. And as part of the deal, the FCC will auction off spectrum in the AWS-H Block which is close to Dish's holdings and has been eyed by Sprint. The whole story is no surprise since last month FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said that he would sign off on Dish's request to use the spectrum for cellular service if Dish would lower the power levels. Genachowski will testify on Capitol Hill on Wednesday about the deal and about a proposal to auction off spectrum belonging to broadcasters in 2014.

With outspoken Dish Network Chairman Charles Egren's dream of owning a mobile operator coming closer to becoming a reality, Dish could seek a partner like Google. With Japan's Softbank buying 70% of Sprint and T-Mobile merging with MetroPCS, toss in a new carrier led by Dish and the U.S. mobile carrier industry could look quite different at this time next year.

source: FCC via Reuters
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
December 11, 2012 Justin Cole, 202-418-8191
Email: justin.cole@fcc.gov
Commission Announces the Adoption of AWS-4 Order and H Block NPRM
Statement from Tammy Sun, FCC Director of Communications
Today the Commission took two actions significantly advancing the President’s goal of freeing
up 500 MHz of spectrum for broadband by 2020.
These actions will help meet skyrocketing consumer demand and promote private investment,
innovation, and competition, while unlocking billions of dollars of value.
The Commission unanimously approved freeing up 40 MHz of underutilized satellite spectrum
for land-based mobile broadband, including 4G LTE. We accomplished this by removing
regulatory barriers that limited this spectrum to satellite use. Carefully balanced technical
requirements will unlock tremendous value in both the AWS-4 band and the 10 MHz H Block,
which Congress directed us to auction.
The Commission also unanimously approved a proposal setting the stage for an auction of the H
Block in 2013. Proceeds from this auction will help fund a nationwide Public Safety Network
for our first responders and reduce the deficit.
-FCC-
News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found
on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.

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