FCC Should Closely Scrutinize AT&T’s Proposed Spectrum Acquisitions; Initiate Spectrum Aggregation NPRM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lucy Tutwiler
August 15, 2012 (202) 449-9866
FCC Should Closely Scrutinize AT&T’s Proposed Spectrum Acquisitions; Initiate Spectrum Aggregation NPRM
Washington, DC – Today, CCA – The Competitive Carriers Association petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to comprehensively examine all of AT&T’s pending and future transfer or assignment applications and adopt appropriate conditions in the event it grants AT&T’s proposed acquisition of 700 MHz from Triad.
In a statement, CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “AT&T continues to feed its insatiable appetite for spectrum with another buying spree! These acquisitions raise serious competitive and spectrum aggregation concerns. Any one of these license transfers standing alone may appear relatively innocuous, but the collective impact of AT&T’s various transactions could continue to harm competition and exacerbate existing marketplace distortions. To remedy this, the Commission should accelerate initiation of a spectrum aggregation rulemaking. While that proceeding is pending, the Commission must carefully review AT&T’s proposed acquisitions, and, if approved, appropriately condition acquisitions to encourage competition and promote the public interest.”
Berry continued, “If the FCC decides to approve the proposed license transfers, it should impose an interoperability requirement across the Lower 700 MHz band. AT&T has used its market power to balkanize the 700 MHz band and control the device ecosystem, which has harmed competition and consumers, and this must end. I hope the FCC sees AT&T’s proposed transactions for what they really are – an attempt to further AT&T’s market power and eliminate competition. I encourage the Commission to carefully review AT&T’s spectrum transactions.”
About CCA
CCA is the nation’s leading association for competitive wireless providers serving rural and regional areas of the United States. The licensed service area of CCA’s more than 100 members covers 95 percent of the nation.
