AT&T and Sprint petition FCC for spectrum exchange

By on Nov 23, 2010 at 7:39 PM
General November 23, 2010

Today, U.S. wireless providers AT&T and Sprint filed a formal letter with the FCC requesting permission to exchange several blocks of wireless spectrum. The two companies claim that the move would be mutually beneficial as it would “enhance” their ability to provide and expand services. The letter reads:

The Applicants state that the additional spectrum (including the spectrum encompassed by the de facto transfer spectrum leasing arrangement) will enable AT&T to increase its system capacity to enhance existing services, better accommodate its overall growth, and facilitate the provision of additional products and services to the public in the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, New Orleans-Baton Rouge, Des Moines-Quad Cities, Honolulu, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Omaha, Louisville-Lexington-Evansville, Salt Lake City, and Spokane-Billings MTAs.  The Applicants also state that the transaction will enhance Sprint Nextel’s ability to expand its array of commercial mobile wireless services in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, New Orleans, South Bend-Mishawaka, Charlotte-Greensboro-Greenville, and Cleveland MTAs.

The release did not specify what specific bits of spectrum were to be swapped, but did note that oppositions to the deal had to be filed by December 17th of this year; a final decision should be rendered before January 1. Hit the read link to have a look at the legalese.

[Via PhoneScoop]

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13 Comments

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  • Danny

    This is a PCS for PCS spectrum swap.

    • Anonymous

      In South Bend, AT&T now has a bunch of cellular spectrum thanks to the acquisition of Centennial Wireless (they only had PCS before). Dan Hesse still visits the South Bend/Notre Dame area from time to time, as he’s a Notre Dame grad. I can understand why Sprint wants more spectrum in South Bend/Mishawaka.

  • sirpaul

    So would users using phones built for a ATTs spectrum on ATT switch over to Sprint, or get new phones to use on ATTs new spectrum?

    • Anonymous

      The same phones will work the same way

  • Anonymous

    All gibberish to me

    • ItsMeBeaches

      I couldn’t agree more…it doesnt seem like it will be saving the consumers a dime, so i couldn’t care less…hopefully this will help consumers who have issues with their service…i dont have a problem with my service so its all Greek to me, and im not very interested in learning Greek. =/

  • Fernandez2126

    wait…. I live in the tampa/st. pete area and I get great at&t service now, does this mean that at&t is going to make service here worse so they can beef up in other areas?????

    • Anonymous

      It’s prolly about 4G because those areas have had 3G and voice coverage for years…

      Holding Spectrum means you have the right to broadcast a wireless signal of a certain frequency in a certain area. Sprint is under full or partial control of Spectrum from three or more sources Clear, the old Nextel, and themselves. Since 4G was so late to the game in most countries the best Spectrum is already in use, so most WiMax and LTE networks including Sprints will be in the 2ghz+ range. In the US analog tv broadcasts were cancelled to free up better 700mhz 4G Spectrum At&t has this type. So generally speakin Sprint has wayyy more 4g Spectrum than anyone, but At&t and VZW have better Spectrum bands.

      The situation is too complicated to guess on, but with VZW in full swing with a solid 3G network and an already strong 4G network ready to launch anyday now, you can be sure Sprint and At&t aren’t going to make any dumb moves that could hurt service or coverage….

      • Anonymous

        I jus checked fiercewireless looks like its 1900mhz not used for 4G but I still doubt anyone would notice a lg in service because of this… They also said At&t bought $59 mil worth of Spectrum from Sprint last year…

      • Fernandez2126

        thanks, I wonder if that means at&t is going purely 850 in this area?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/William-Diaz/100000639956723 William Diaz

    Personally living in SF, hearing that Sprint wants to give up some spectrum here for AT&T is kinda concerning. Sprint has a pretty decent network here, they used to tout themselves as “No one has a more powerful network in San Francisco – GUARANTEED” While AT&T as we all know has had nothing but coverage and data issues since TDMA was dropped with the OLD AT&T Wireless….

    Swapping bad spectrum of AT&T for other areas, and giving the good Sprint spectrum from San Francisco in exchange poses a question – Should I just switch to Verizon, since lately with 4G WiMAX being tested, my 3G service in SF on Sprint has started to suck. I need a company thats not giving away needed spectrum in 1900 in exchange for 1900 spectrum across the country that doesnt benefit where I will EVER use my service.

  • Jman2u

    Opposed! Just for the heck of it.

  • Anonymous

    Hey….more of a reason for Sprint to get 4G in Nawlins & Salt Lake sooner.

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