T-Mobile says it won 45% of the 600MHz spectrum auctioned off by the FCC
The process seemed to take forever, but the results were as expected. According to a video just disseminated by T-Mobile CEO John Legere, the nation's third largest carrier ended up winning 45% of the 600MHz spectrum put up for auction by television broadcasters. If you've been reading our coverage of the FCC auction (which stretches back over two years), you know that these low-frequency airwaves travel farther and penetrate building better.
"These auction results are a win for everyone, especially consumers, and generated BILLIONS for broadcasters and US taxpayers. Congratulations to the FCC! This spectrum sets us up to bring the Un-carrier – and REAL competition – to wireless customers everywhere, many of whom have never had real choices in wireless. If the Duopoly thought things were rough before – well, just wait!. T-Mobile now has the largest swath of unused low-band spectrum in the country. That is a BFD for our customers! Because T-Mobile customers will be able to speed on a brand-new, wide-open wireless freeway, while carrier customers have to crawl along on their clogged, congested low-band freeways."-John Legere president, CEO, T-Mobile
T-Mobile spent $7.99 billion for the spectrum which essentially quadruples its present low-frequency holdings. It also gives T-Mobile triple the low-band spectrum per customer than Verizon. Qualcomm will be turning out chips supporting the 600MHz band and compatible handsets will be available later this year.
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