T-Mobile and AT&T agree to swap spectrum

posted by Michael H.

Oct 08, 2015, 9:05 PM

T-Mobile and AT&T agree to swap spectrum

AT&T and T-Mobile have never had a friendly relationship really. But, after AT&T tried (and failed) to buy T-Mobile, the companies have had a history of swapping spectrum to create more contiguous spectrum blocks and to fill in gaps in T-Mobile's coverage. Well, the two companies are at it again with a new agreement to swap more spectrum.

FCC filings show that AT&T and T-Mobile have agreed to swap PCS and AWS-1 spectrum licenses in various markets, including Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; Phoenix, AZ; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; Tulsa, OK; Sacramento, CA; and Austin and San Antonio, TX. The carriers say the swap will "enable more efficient operations by creating larger blocks of contiguous spectrum and aligning spectrum blocks across markets."

The move is pretty clear for both sides, because contiguous blocks of spectrum allow the carriers to strengthen Wideband LTE offerings in various markets, which should provide more capacity and speed for customers.

The two sides have agreed to trade equal amounts of spectrum, but the entire deal needs to be approved by the FCC before it becomes official.

source: FCC 1 & 2 via TMoNews

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19 Comments

17. HighOnAndroidFTW

Posts: 185; Member since: Apr 26, 2015

Great for us consumers of the two. I'm on Tmo and all for it(obviously) just bring it to the west coast

posted on Oct 09, 2015, 4:08 PM 0

14. Mr.Mr.Upgrade

Posts: 474; Member since: Aug 30, 2011

If your carrier sucks in the major city then its bad and T-Mobile is bad

posted on Oct 09, 2015, 1:44 AM 0

16. andynaija

Posts: 1268; Member since: Sep 08, 2012

T-Mobile is not bad, they're switching with AT&T to improve the networks of both carriers it's not that one is worse than the other. Besides both carriers to great in major cities especially T-Mobile.

posted on Oct 09, 2015, 1:49 AM 2

18. andynaija

meant to type *do great

posted on Oct 09, 2015, 6:32 PM 0

8. jeroome86

Posts: 2314; Member since: Apr 12, 2012

I've seen more dead spots from Verizon then the other carriers. My co workers always getting poor signal.

posted on Oct 08, 2015, 10:34 PM 3

15. andynaija

*Than

posted on Oct 09, 2015, 1:46 AM 0

5. Gemmol

Posts: 793; Member since: Nov 09, 2011

When you have to use Bluetooth to be able to talk anywhere in your house because you keep your tmobile phone by the window just to get a signal, that's a sign to tell you that you should jus switch companies

posted on Oct 08, 2015, 10:25 PM 0

6. WakaFlakaD

Posts: 576; Member since: Apr 30, 2011

Keep in mind that no carrier have perfect signal. T-Mobile has its weak spots just like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and other carriers.

posted on Oct 08, 2015, 10:28 PM 9

10. discharge unregistered

Exactly what I told gemmol too there is no perfect carrier I use t mobile I have no issues but customer service 611 sucks!! Long wait times that's a t mo fail

posted on Oct 08, 2015, 11:20 PM 0

13. Gemmol

I agree, that's valid, everyone got their weakness, just choose what works best for you

posted on Oct 09, 2015, 1:17 AM 0

11. greyarea

Posts: 267; Member since: Aug 14, 2015

I get that you shouldn't HAVE to but this is commonly solved with using wifi connection at home. Plenty of places have construction that makes it hard for any carriers, some places are just dead spots. Then again I use a bt headset around home just with the phone on my desk so your situation doesn't seem all that unappealing to me.

posted on Oct 09, 2015, 12:27 AM 0

19. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Or you know, call them, get a FREEEEEEEE signal booster of either the LTE or Cellspot wifi, variety.

posted on Oct 09, 2015, 11:12 PM 0

2. discharge unregistered

OMG!!! Just kiss and make up!! AT&T and t mobile I have t mobile and no issues on LTE anyplace I go I used to have AT&T and had worse LTE so I think it should be AT&T asking t mobile for help ??? I don't know?? There should be just one huge cellular company and all satisfaction for all but as we know this will never happen just as Apple v/s android I use both so I have no argue on that but Apple does lag this year!!

posted on Oct 08, 2015, 9:54 PM 2

3. Gemmol

You just happen to be in a rare spot, ask my brother how hard it is for him to make a call on his galaxy phone, he only stick around for the cheap price, he wold rather switch to AT&T

posted on Oct 08, 2015, 10:22 PM 3

4. Gemmol

The reason I say ask my brother because he a truck driver

posted on Oct 08, 2015, 10:23 PM 2

7. Amw86

Posts: 45; Member since: Oct 14, 2013

Verizon is the only way to go as a Driver.

posted on Oct 08, 2015, 10:29 PM 7

12. AlikMalix unregistered

Yeah, I heard the same from my Bro-in-law who's a Driver... Verizon is best for Logistics..

posted on Oct 09, 2015, 1:16 AM 1

9. discharge unregistered

Being a truck drive your 1000% correct any carrier can fail every carrier has dead zones as a truck driver they will for sure see that great point gemmol my friend is also a big rig driver and has the big red aka Verizon and in Arizona it's bad