AT&T wins approval for $2.5 billion cellular license deal

AT&T WINS APPROVAL FOR $2.5 CELLULAR LICENSE DEAL
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: John Dunbar]
AT&T, already the nation's largest cell phone provider, won government approval to buy highly coveted airwaves licenses that cover 196 million people in 281 markets. The Federal Communications Commission on Monday released an order approving the company's $2.5 billion cash buyout of Aloha Partners L.P. and its spectrum holdings. The licenses are in the much-sought-after 700-megahertz band that is being vacated by television broadcasters. It is next to spectrum that is currently being auctioned by the FCC and has drawn record bids. Sixty-two megahertz are up for auction. The Aloha transaction is for 12 megahertz. AT&T provides wireless service to 63.7 million customers, more than any other wireless provider in the nation, according to the company. Aloha is a Providence, R.I.-based company that acquired the licenses in previous FCC auctions and in the secondary market between 2003 and 2005. Except for two limited market trials, Aloha never used the airwaves to build a wireless network. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps voted against the transfer saying the transfer "seems destined to reduce competition and diversity in the wireless marketplace." Fellow Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said, "A merger of this size requires a thorough public interest review. It raises questions for policymakers and consumers because communications services - voice, data, and video - are so integral to our daily lives and to the economic success of our communities and our national economy."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8UJOU583.html

* FCC order:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-26A1.doc

* Commissioner Copps:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-26A2.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-26A3.doc