Groups Oppose AT&T's Proposed Buy of 3.45 GHz Licenses From UScellular
NCTA and other groups raised concerns about AT&T’s proposed buy of 3.45 GHz licenses from UScellular in comments posted Monday in docket 25-150. “Far from being routine, this waiver would push AT&T to the edge of -- or beyond -- longstanding spectrum thresholds in numerous markets, with broad implications for mid-band spectrum access and wireless market structure nationwide,” NCTA said. The transaction is tied to UScellular's proposed sale of wireless assets, including spectrum, to T-Mobile, which has also proven to be controversial (see 2504150046).
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The transaction should be examined as part of a larger inquiry “taking a broader, more strategic view of how spectrum aggregation limits and other policies … can be implemented to avoid spectrum concentration and encourage competition by making licenses more accessible to a wide diversity of spectrum users,” NCTA said.
Communications Workers of America, joined by public interest groups, urged the FCC to reject the proposed transaction. The companies haven’t demonstrated that the sale is in the public interest, said the union, along with Public Knowledge, the Open Technology Institute at New America and the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. “The assignment of large amounts of spectrum, beyond the spectrum screen, is anti-competitive, makes it harder for a fourth wireless competitor to emerge, and may lead to higher prices for consumers,” the groups' filing said.
The Rural Wireless Association also opposed the deal, which “will increase rates for consumers due to reduced competition in numerous markets and limit access to valuable spectrum for rural carriers.” The group added: “The loss of UScellular as a reciprocal roaming partner in markets where AT&T is acquiring spectrum will increase roaming costs and decrease roaming revenues for rural carriers, to the point where the sustainability of their businesses will be threatened.”