FCC Sets Pleading Cycle for AT&T Spectrum Transfer to T-Mobile

T-Mobile and AT&T have filed four applications seeking approval to assign AWS-1 spectrum licenses. The Applicants request consent to assign 13 AWS-1 licenses in full and partitioned portions of 23 AWS-1 licenses from AT&T Mobility to T-Mobile License. The Applicants also request consent to assign seven AWS-1 licenses in full and partitioned portions of four AWS-1 licenses from New Cingular Wireless to T-Mobile License. The proposed license assignments are part of the break-up provision of AT&T’s proposed, but failed, acquisition of T-Mobile. The Applicants assert that the proposed license assignments will serve the public interest by allowing T-Mobile USA to acquire spectrum to enable it to better address the growing demands of consumers for wireless data and content. The Applicants also assert that the proposed license assignments raise no competitive concerns. They note that AT&T will retain spectrum, and continue to serve customers, in each of the affected markets and therefore conclude that the proposed transaction will in no way reduce the number of wireless competitors or choices available to consumers in any market.

Petitions to Deny the transaction are due February 27, 2012. Oppositions are due March 8 and Replies are due March 19, 2012.