Dish cites T-Mobile’s low-band spectrum stash in bid for new FCC policies

Dish Network is re-upping its calls for the Federal Communications Commission to update spectrum holding policies, saying the agency’s current spectrum procedures have enabled incumbents like T-Mobile to amass too much low-band spectrum to the detriment of new competitors and regional carriers. Dish EVP of External & Legislative Affairs Jeff Blum and other Dish lawyers met with FCC representatives to discuss the current competitive landscape and importance of spectrum availability in giving new entrants a chance to compete. Dish pointed to comments from AT&T, Public Knowledge, and Open Technology Institute at New America to show support for updating the FCC’s spectrum policies. However, the Competitive Carriers Association told the FCC that the most immediate pressing spectrum policy need is for the FCC to focus on reinstating the agency’s auction authority and getting new spectrum in the auction pipeline when the auction authority is reinstated.