Verizon and T-Mobile agree to swap AWS spectrum

[dutchtender]

brilliant strategic move by tmo. skate to where the puck is going. not where is was.

[terryjohnson16]

Did T-Mobile really not have enough spectrum to launch LTE prior to getting some from AT&T? Couldn't they have easily have refarmed their network before, and still gotten some from AT&T, and even Verizon to boost their holdings?

[Morphling27]

Did T-Mobile really not have enough spectrum to launch LTE prior to getting some from AT&T? Couldn't they have easily have refarmed their network before, and still gotten some from AT&T, and even Verizon to boost their holdings?

I think it gave them more coherent spectrum across the nation. The spectrum pieces they had were uneven and what they got from ATT helped increase it and the swap with VZW made it so both have chunks that work better with their network plans.

I'm sure they could have done it but this hopefully makes for a more solid network for them and makes it faster to get out. Someone with more knowledge in this area might help.

[jarrodpd]

Good news! the FCC approved the sale of Spectrum for Verizon so it shouldnt be much longer until a transactions occurs between Verizon and T-Mobile.

http://www.phonedog.com/2012/08/23/v...ed-by-the-fcc/

[ilvla2]

Good news! the FCC approved the sale of Spectrum for Verizon so it shouldnt be much longer until a transactions occurs between Verizon and T-Mobile.

http://www.phonedog.com/2012/08/23/v...ed-by-the-fcc/

It's bad news for competition, this will probably hurt local and regional carriers quite a bit.

[TC_Mits]

I wonder if it will be as simple as selectively shunting all unlimited data lines onto AWS for vzw to effectively circumvent the FCC 700 C-band regulations as they apply to grandfathered UL?

[jarrodpd]

It's bad news for competition, this will probably hurt local and regional carriers quite a bit.

From my understanding leap has their own deal with Verizon so at least more than one operator is getting something out of it.

[Antenna]

I wonder if it will be as simple as selectively shunting all unlimited data lines onto AWS for vzw to effectively circumvent the FCC 700 C-band regulations as they apply to grandfathered UL?

Maybe....seems like a lot of hoops for verizon to jump thru. In 2 years they can just cancel the unlimited people because they will all be out of contract

[i0wnj00]

Did T-Mobile really not have enough spectrum to launch LTE prior to getting some from AT&T? Couldn't they have easily have refarmed their network before, and still gotten some from AT&T, and even Verizon to boost their holdings?

T-Mobile USA could have launched LTE earlier on the AWS band if they started small like Cricket and MetroPCS did, but the LTE network would be running at 3G speeds or 1 mb/sec. I think they choose to move to DC-HSPA+ to compete against AT&T and Verizon Wireless with their LTE networks as opposed to be left behind with lousy LTE and plain jane HSPA+ networks.

Remember, René Obermann was determined to unload T-Mobile USA to AT&T or spin it off. Upgrading the network to LTE wasn't even on the table.

[MrObvious]

Definitely the DC-HSPA move was smart because it kept them viable in the market until they could roll out LTE and they can let it mature first and not have a slow network like Verizon and Sprint EVDO.

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[terryjohnson16]

Ok, how much spectrum does AT&T really and truly need. I sense greed, due to Verizon buying more AWS spectrum, and swapping with T-Mobile:

http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=11119

Today, 2:20 PM by Eric M. Zeman

AT&T is hoping to purchase 700MHz and AWS spectrum from CenturyTel, according to documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission. The documents reveal that AT&T is looking to acquire 51 Lower 700MHz B Block licenses, four Lower 700MHz C Block licenses, and six Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) licenses from CenturyTel for an undisclosed sum. AT&T says it needs the spectrum to strengthen its LTE 4G network in the regions covered by the licenses. In total, 54 cellular market areas across 14 states fall under the spectrum AT&T seeks. A quick look at the proposal shows that if allowed to go through, AT&T will hold the maximum-allowable 55MHz of spectrum in 25 of the markets affected. The FCC has accepted the applications for review and set a pleading cycle for opponents to speak their minds. Petitions to deny are due September 25; oppositions are due October 5; and responses are due October 15.

[jarrodpd]

Maybe....seems like a lot of hoops for verizon to jump thru. In 2 years they can just cancel the unlimited people because they will all be out of contract

If they can make a quick nickel and dime they will do it.

[dmaxfan]

I truly believe its to throttle unlimited users since the FCC stipulations on the original said they couldn't

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy SIII

[DRNewcomb]

Ok, how much spectrum does AT&T really and truly need.

AT&T never has enough and always needs more. Keep in mind that the original proposal for cellular telephone service in the US was for exactly one nationwide carrier. Guess who made that proposal?

[terryjohnson16]

AT&T never has enough and always needs more. Keep in mind that the original proposal for cellular telephone service in the US was for exactly one nationwide carrier. Guess who made that proposal?

But im lost. I think the FCC truly needs to examine ATT and Verizon spectrum holdings as a whole.

Its rediculous:
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=11063

http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=11058

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