Will the FCC Approve Qualcomm’s Spectrum Sale To AT&T?

[Commentary] If recent history is any indicator, Federal Communications Commission approval for the AT&T-Qualcomm spectrum deal may not come easy.

The FCC has become especially queasy about AT&T and Verizon’s spectrum assets, noting in its Wireless Competition report that spectrum assets were becoming more concentrated. AT&T can slow down the deployment of that spectrum at a time when the market needs it the most. In addition, FCC was pretty clear about not allowing Harbinger, a hedge fund behind LightSquared network to sell some of its spectrum assets. That is a clear indication on the part of the FCC to take a hard look at spectrum sales to large carriers, especially those that include repurposing of spectrum.