FCC Examining AT&T/U.S. Cellular Spectrum Swap
The FCC established a pleading cycle on a proposed spectrum swap between AT&T and U.S. Cellular (USCC). The FCC already is examining a swap between USCC and Sprint (see 1607070042). The latest swap includes lower 700 MHz, PCS and AWS-1…
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licenses, but no customers or network facilities would change hands, the FCC said in a Wednesday notice in docket 16-178. “As a result of the proposed transaction, AT&T and USCC each assert that they would augment network capacity and improve the quality of services offered in the subject geographic areas,” the FCC said. “The Applicants also claim that they each would use the newly acquired spectrum to implement enhanced LTE capacity. In particular, AT&T maintains that it would hold 24 megahertz of contiguous, paired Lower 700 MHz spectrum in most of the counties involved in this transaction, allowing for a 10×10 megahertz LTE deployment.” Under the trade, USCC would pick up spectrum in 21 counties in parts of Illinois, North Carolina and Washington, the FCC said. AT&T would gain 12-24 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum in 23 counties in portions of Idaho, Illinois, Indiana and North Carolina. The deal will get higher scrutiny because those pickups move AT&T above one-third of the low-band spectrum in many of the markets, the FCC said. Petitions to deny are due Aug. 17, oppositions Aug. 24 and replies Aug. 31.