AT&T’s deal to purchase DirecTV is “pretty clean,”...
AT&T’s deal to purchase DirecTV is “pretty clean,” with “not a lot of complications” for the FCC to approve, AT&T Senior Executive Vice President for External and Legislative Affairs Jim Cicconi told Wells Fargo analysts, according to an email from…
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the bank to investors Wednesday. AT&T will participate in the broadcast incentive auction and the AWS-3 auction, and will add at least 20 MHz between the two, the email said. Verizon sees the AWS-3 auction as a “top priority,” Wells Fargo said. Valuation in that auction could “top $1.50 per MHz/Pop,” the email said, though the analysts don’t know how much AT&T or Verizon will spend in the auction. Broadcaster participation in the incentive auction is the FCC’s “primary concern” about the proceeding, Wells Fargo said. The commission is less concerned about the auction starting on a specific date than it is about it being successful, the analysts said. There is debate in the industry about whether it will be possible to give broadcaster clarity on pricing in advance of the auction, Wells Fargo said. “If AWS3 proceeds fully cover the cost of FirstNet, the FCC could be more aggressive in compensating broadcasters’ participation.” The commission is also preparing to begin its broadcaster outreach efforts, the email said.