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Rural Telecom Group Seeks to Block AT&T's Spectrum Grab

Jan 24, 2011, 12:44 PM by Eric M. Zeman

The Rural Telecommunications Group has appealed to the Federal Communications Commission to block AT&T's proposed purchase of 700MHz assets from Windstream, a small regional provider in Pennsylvania. Under the terms of the transaction, AT&T would gain six C Block bands of 700MHz spectrum from the regional carrier. The RTG argues that if the transaction is allowed to go through, then AT&T and Verizon Wireless will control a significant portion of the 700MHz spectrum licenses in that region. The RTG wrote that the deal would "drastically reduce the number of potential roaming partners for rural carriers and the rural consumers they serve and further consolidate the already scarce amount of spectrum below 2.3GHz into the hands of the nation's second largest mobile operato. This transaction is further proof of a mobile wireless marketplace slowly devolving into a duopoly at the expense of rural mobile consumers." The RTG wants the transaction blocked, and also asked the FCC to implement spectrum caps. The RTG specifically asked that the FCC limit licensees from controlling more than 110MHz below 2.3GHz. AT&T is already awaiting regulatory approval to purchase a massive block of 700MHz spectrum from Qualcomm. The RTG sought to block that purchase, too.

RTG (PDF) »
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Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

Slammer

Jan 24, 2011, 1:04 PM

I Agree With the RTG but,

What else can be done? The two larger carriers have enjoyed merger after merger, aquistions after acquisitions. There is little or no other carriers with money left to successfully bid on any assets. Good- bye competition, hello duopoly.

John B.

GeeksAreBest

Can the small carriers *really* afford it? Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile already passed...What are they going to do with a spectrum they don't have the funds to develop? Thats just the nature of competition.

...

Versed

Can't have it both ways, can't refuse to be a roaming partner, then not want to pay for such spectrum. All they can do is cry to justice and force the seller to take less money and then probably not even deploy it before the next century.

...

Chizzle

Jan 24, 2011, 2:42 PM

Verizon is not working!!!!

Hamton Roads Va.
about 2.30
NOBODY has service NOBODY!!! 🤨

muchdrama

Chizzle said:
Hamton Roads Va.
about 2.30
NOBODY has service NOBODY!!! 🤨

I called the National Guard. They say to keep your panties on.

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