AT&T asks FCC to approve more 700 MHz spectrum license purchases

Spectrum from T-Mobile USA and Qualcomm, it seems, is not enough. AT&T Mobility is asking the FCC to approve its purchase of two additional spectrum licenses that cover 700 MHz radio waves in Kansas and Massachusetts.

While such spectrum purchases are relatively common for the nation's largest wireless carriers, and the licenses AT&T is hoping to buy are relatively trivial, the news is noteworthy considering AT&T's seemingly unquenchable quest for airwaves. AT&T late last year announced it would purchase Qualcomm's 700 MHz licenses for $1.93 billion, and in March AT&T announced its intention to purchase T-Mobile USA for $39 billion. Both transactions are pending before the FCC. As for AT&T's most recent grab for spectrum, the carrier plans to use the 700 MHz licenses to bolster both its existing GSM network and its planned LTE network. In its filings with the FCC, AT&T said that it plans to use the Massachusetts license (710-716; 740-746 MHz) to enhance its GSM and UMTS networks in the area, and that it would use the Kansas license (704-710; 734-740 MHz) for its forthcoming LTE network. Knology of Kansas owns the Kansas license, and 700 MHz LLC owns the Massachusetts license. AT&T did not disclose the financial terms of the transactions.