AT&T makes progress on 700 MHz interoperability, likely benefiting T-Mobile

AT&T Mobility is working with several smaller carriers, likely including T-Mobile US and US Cellular, to prepare for interoperability between their different band classes in the 700 MHz band.

In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, AT&T revealed the progress it has made in following through on a commitment it made in September 2013 to support interoperability between Band Class 17 and Band Class 12 in the 700 MHz band. In the filing, AT&T said that in the first half of this year it will bring devices to market that are fully capable of interoperating between Band 12 and Band 17. The interoperability issue plagued the industry for years. Lower 700 MHz A Block licensees long argued that vendors like Apple made equipment for AT&T's Band Class 17 and Verizon Wireless' Band Class 13, but not for those smaller companies such as C Spire Wireless and U.S. Cellular that hold 700 MHz A Block spectrum in Band Class 12.