FCC Launches Pleading Cycle on AT&T Buy of UScellular Licenses
The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment Wednesday on AT&T’s proposed buy of 3.45 GHz licenses from UScellular. Because the acquisition would give AT&T more than 40 MHz of 3.45 GHz spectrum holdings in some markets, the company must seek a waiver under FCC rules, said a bureau notice. Petitions to deny are due April 25, oppositions May 12 and replies May 22, in docket 25-150.
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“Post-transaction, according to the Applicants, they would be attributed with a maximum of 355 megahertz of spectrum, including 80 megahertz of below-1-GHz spectrum and 80 megahertz of 3.45 GHz spectrum,” the bureau said. The companies sought waivers in January filings in the FCC’s universal licensing system. “Grant of the Transaction and the waiver, will serve the public interest by facilitating more capable and competitive 5G deployments in the areas covered by the Licenses, allowing AT&T to keep up with its competitors’ mid-band spectrum holdings and better meet the needs of its customers,” said the lead filing from January.