Spectrum transfer from AT&T to T-Mobile approved by FCC

posted by Michael H. / Apr 25, 2012, 2:11 PM

Spectrum transfer from AT&T to T-Mobile approved by FCC

Part of the $4 billion breakup deal that was activated when the AT&T acquisition of T-Mobile fell through was that T-Mobile would receive a chunk of AWS wireless spectrum from AT&T. That spectrum transfer is now free to proceed as the FCC has given its approval.

The spectrum is valued at approximately $1 billion and covers 128 markets around the country, although most appear to be in the central and western parts of the US. There are only a few areas on the east coast that will see improvement including the Boston area, central/western New York (around Syracuse and Buffalo), the Maryland/DC area, as well as a small spot in central Georgia and around Jacksonville, FL.

All of the areas covered in the deal are highlighted in the nifty map to the right, which was made by GigaOM reader Anthony Shepherd. T-Mobile has said that it will use this new spectrum to help push forward with plans to build out an LTE network, which it wants to launch by next year.

source: GigaOM & T-Mobile via The Verge

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14 Comments

1. gwuhua1984

Posts: 1237; Member since: Mar 06, 2012

This is a really good news for T-Mo customers. Now they just need to get their phone lineup on track, start announcing and selling some jaw dropping phones before AT&T and etc does.

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 2:14 PM 3

2. Captain_Doug

Posts: 1037; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

HTC One S isn't too shabby.

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 2:20 PM 1

3. gwuhua1984

Let's say if you're looking for a phone... would you go for the One S for $199 or One X from AT&T for $149? and which one would you want more?

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 2:26 PM 4

4. Fluxman

Posts: 51; Member since: Jun 03, 2010

The one that's not on contract

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 2:43 PM 1

5. torr310

Posts: 1609; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

you need to pay more for the phones without contracts. I actually like the contracts because I won't switch the carrier and I also like to get the discount/free phones. But hope there will be 1-year contract available.

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 2:51 PM 0

6. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

you dont get a discount/free phone. you just think you do you would rather spend 149 and pay 130 a month for service instead of spending 500 and paying 60 for service.. with a wider 4g network that blazing fast. That is exactly why carriers wont ever fully get off of that system. Think it through.. think how much more money you are paying for 2 years of service to get that "free" phone.

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 2:58 PM 3

9. Fluxman

boy, those carriers got you good if you think you are getting a discount/free phone. I would argue that over the contract term, the full price phone saves you way more money.

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 3:01 PM 1

14. georgiaboyz

Posts: 11; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

These two previous comments crack me up...whether you pay full price for a phone or sign a contract and get the phone susidized, the cost of the monthly service is the exact same, assuming you are talking about the different buying options while considering the same carrier in both situations. And you think you are sooooo smart phone paying for phones outright and not signing a contract, BUT i hate to tell you...Wait for it...paying the disconnection fee+the price of a subsidized phone is STILL (9/10 times) cheaper then buying a phone outright. The funniest part is that ALL these people that don't wat to sign a "BIG BAD" contract have been with the same carriers for multiple years and aren't going anywhere. So why not just sign the contract and see if you like the carrier before you front the extra $300-$500, just to find out they aren't as scary and crooked as all these commitment phobic people are telling you.

posted on Apr 27, 2012, 6:09 PM 0

7. networkdood

Posts: 6330; Member since: Mar 31, 2010

Wow, the FCC finally approved something...amazing!!

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 2:59 PM 1

8. remixfa

well, all my jailbroken iphone customers are gonna be ecstatic. Jacksonville's getting some of that 3g spectrum. NOW IF ONLY I COULD WIN THAT SGS2 CONTEST, I COULD TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW SPECTRUM!!! :) :) :)

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 2:59 PM 2

10. castro08

Posts: 1; Member since: Apr 25, 2012

I have a question. Does this help us now? For example, will it give us greater coverage with faster speeds in more places, or does this only matter for the future, or both?

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 3:07 PM 1

11. remixfa

as soon as they do whatever they need to do to make it work on Tmobile, it will help out in the places its added. It also carries the added benefit of being compatible with ATT's 3g/4g in those areas so people with unlocked iphones will finally get off EDGE service. lol

posted on Apr 25, 2012, 5:28 PM 1

12. Forsaken77

Posts: 553; Member since: Jun 09, 2011

I don't understand why AT&T had to pay them anything at all. The deal going bust wasn't AT&T's fault. The grubby government stepped in where they don't belong. That's out of their control. I guess some stupid lawyer is looking for a new job now for not adding that provision into the contract. Seems like a really stupid over sight.