spectrum

Is AT&T a wireless spectrum hog?

AT&T is pinning its future on getting its hands on more wireless spectrum. But should regulators allow AT&T, which owns more wireless spectrum than any other wireless operator across the nation, to gobble up even more of this scarce resource?

That's the big question that the Federal Communications Commission is grappling with as it scrutinizes the planned merger between AT&T and T-Mobile, which will transfer all of T-Mobile's spectrum to AT&T. The FCC is also in the middle of considering AT&T's plan to buy spectrum in the lower part of the 700MHz band of spectrum from Qualcomm.… Read more

Divestiture: When your carrier leaves you (FAQ)

It's been almost a month since AT&T dropped the $39 billion bomb that it was intending to acquire T-Mobile. And since that time, the wireless world had talked about little else. Indeed, the news of the potential merger dominated the CTIA show last month, and my CNET colleagues and I have fielded many reader questions over the marriage.

Your concerns about a merger are understandable. If approved by the feds, the deal would not only lump 130 million subscribers under one provider, but also it would result in just one GSM national carrier. Higher prices, customer service changes, and degraded coverage are top of mind for many consumers, but divestiture is another consequence to consider. We'll get into the details below, but the short story is that the combined carrier may have to stop service to your area. And if that happens, you can wind up with a different provider that you didn't choose. It's nothing to panic over, but it is something to keep in mind. So for more on divestiture and what it could mean to you, read on.… Read more

White House pushes for incentive spectrum auctions

The Obama administration has enlisted the help of more than 100 economists to make its case for incentive spectrum auctions that will free up more airwaves for wireless broadband services.

Today, the White House presented a letter signed by 112 economists "who specialize in telecommunications, auction theory and design, and/or competitive policy." The signed letter was part of a summit that the administration put together in an effort to persuade Congress to authorize a round of incentive auctions that would take unused broadcast TV spectrum and use it for wireless broadband services.

In the letter the economists … Read more

CTIA day 1: Where's T-Mobile; talk of spectrum crunch

ORLANDO, Fla.--Two big takeaways from day 1 of the CTIA 2011 trade show here:

There are essentially three major U.S. carriers now: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint Nextel. T-Mobile's presence here is minor. Carriers need more wireless spectrum.

To the first point: AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA was announced just this past Sunday and it still needs to go through a stringent regulatory approval process. But judging from the CTIA show, the No. 4 U.S. Wireless carrier seems largely left out of the industry discussion.

On the CEO panel this morning with CNBC's Jim Cramer, … Read more

Spectrum debate likely hot topic for CTIA

ORLANDO, Fla.--While many gadget fans will be looking for the latest smartphones and cool services coming out at this week's CTIA 2011 trade show here, policy wonks will be looking for news in the heated battle between the wireless industry and TV broadcasters over spectrum reallocation.

In recent weeks, the National Association of Broadcasters has called into question the Federal Communications Commission's plan to reallocate spectrum, much of which will come from unused broadcast licenses that have been voluntarily given up. The NAB has called many current spectrum holders, which have participated in previous spectrum auctions, hoarders. … Read more

FCC, not free market, best for spectrum auction

Editors' note: This is a guest column. See Steve Largent's bio below.

In the last few weeks, I have read a number of op-eds claiming that reallocation of broadcast spectrum for wireless use should be left to the free market. While I am a fervent believer in free markets and limited government, there are rare instances in which government involvement is necessary. I agree with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski on his proposal that managing the incentive process to voluntarily reclaim broadcast licenses and repack the spectrum is an area that absolutely requires FCC leadership and experience.

When … Read more

Snowe, Kerry introduce spectrum inventory bill

WASHINGTON--Hopes for a solution to the looming crisis in available radio spectrum for mobile broadband users were raised today.

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) introduced legislation aimed at solving some of the biggest threats to the mobile Internet, feeding hopes of bipartisan solutions for spectrum woes in an increasingly divided Congress.

"The Reforming Airwaves by Developing Incentives and Opportunistic Sharing (Radios) Act will set the proper foundation to meet growing demand for spectrum through greater planning and coordination and by promoting more innovative and efficient use of spectrum resources," Sens. Snowe and Kerry said in a statement. … Read more

FCC takes steps to free up wireless spectrum

The Federal Communications Commission took two important steps this week to free up more wireless spectrum for wireless broadband services.

On Wednesday the agency published a list of nine companies that have been granted permission to provide a database of unlicensed "white space" spectrum that can be used by device makers and service providers to offer a service that utilizes these free airwaves.

And also on Wednesday the FCC approved an order to allow a privately funded company called LightSquared to lease spectrum that was originally allocated for satellite services to use in building a terrestrial wireless service. … Read more

Tech priorities for new Congress: From old to new

WASHINGTON--The new Congress has only just started, but its Internet and technology agenda is quickly filling up. Top on the list for Republicans will be efforts to undo the Federal Communication Commission's late-December "Open Internet" Order. After that, expect bipartisan action on efforts to slake the voracious appetite for wireless spectrum of mobile Internet users and possible reform of the $8 billion Universal Service Fund.

That was the message heard today by attendees at the State of the Net conference here, organized by the advisory committee to the Congressional Internet Caucus. Members of Congress, senior staffers, administration … Read more