T-Mobile, Bresnan Ask FCC to Approve 700 MHz Waiver for Montana Licenses
T-Mobile and Bresnan Communications jointly asked the FCC to approve a waiver request that would facilitate the sale of three 700 MHz licenses in Montana from Bresnan to T-Mobile. The two have asked the FCC to approve the transfer and…
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waive a pending accelerated buildout requirement (see 1610060062). “As Petitioners have demonstrated, granting the Waiver Request would bring increased competition and enhanced coverage to consumers in the areas at issue, many of which are rural and underserved and include tribal lands,” the two companies said in reply comments in docket 16-319. “It would also deliver new retail facilities and jobs.” The two highlighted the benefits to consumers. “To ensure … public interest benefits are delivered quickly, T-Mobile has committed in writing to specific deployment milestones, including introducing service in the licensed areas within the next year,” they said. Bresnan is a subsidiary of Charter Communications. The Rural Wireless Association filed comments saying the FCC should deny the waiver request. “The underlying purpose” of the buildout requirement “is to prevent the warehousing of spectrum,” RWA said. "The Commission has stated that adopting stringent performance requirements for 700 MHz licenses accomplishes several important policy objectives, including ensuring that licensees put this spectrum to use and provide service to consumers in a timely manner.”