FCC OKs AT&T Spectrum Swap With U.S. Cellular, Buy From Eastern Colorado Wireless
FCC staff cleared an AT&T/U.S. Cellular spectrum swap and an AT&T spectrum buy from Eastern Colorado Wireless. In the first deal, AT&T will take over seven lower 700 MHz B and C Block licenses in six local markets and U.S.…
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Cellular will take over four AWS-1 licenses and one broadband PCS license in four local markets, said a Wireless Bureau order Thursday in docket 16-178. The bureau said competitive harm would be unlikely despite AT&T surpassing one-third of the suitable below-1-GHz spectrum in five of the six markets, which subjected the deal to "enhanced" scrutiny. Similarly, in another order Thursday, in docket 16-189, approving AT&T's purchase of one Eastern Colorado Wireless lower 700 MHz C Block license, the bureau said there was unlikely to be competitive harm despite AT&T exceeding one-third of the below-1-GHz spectrum. In both cases, the bureau also found public-interest benefits would be likely through improved network quality and consumer experience.