Industry participants who took part in a meeting...
Industry participants who took part in a meeting Wednesday at the FCC on 700 MHz interoperability (CD Aug 1 p1) were eagerly awaiting an ex parte filing by the agency on Thursday so they could get a better view on…
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commission takeaways from the two-hour session, they told us. Several attendees said after the gathering that differences remain, with AT&T pressing for a compromise that doesn’t require a mandate, consistent with its filings on the topic, and smaller carriers arguing it isn’t necessary to address the alleged Channel 51 interference issues before requiring interoperability in the band. Verizon Wireless was at the meeting, as was T-Mobile, which inherited some 700 MHz A-block spectrum with its purchase of MetroPCS, and the small carriers that have been active in the proceeding, sources said. They said the meeting included a few attendees from the business side of their respective companies, including U.S. Cellular CEO Kenneth Meyers. AT&T was said to be represented by Senior Vice President Bob Quinn and Vice President Joan Marsh. “AT&T appreciates the productive dialogue that Chairwoman Clyburn has initiated and remains committed to finding a solution to the interoperability challenges in the lower 700 MHz band,” said the carrier in a statement. Former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt, who signed off on a U.S. Cellular/Skadden Arps letter (http://bit.ly/1cinjgd) on 700 MHz interoperability, said in an email Thursday he does some work as a contractor for that law firm and is of counsel to U.S. Cellular on the issue.