It looks like AT&T sure is serious about expanding its network, with the company now following up its recent purchase of Dobson Communications with an acquisition of a stash of spectrum from Providence, R.I.-based Aloha Partners LP, the largest owner of 700MHz spectrum in the US (and parent company of mobile TV firm
HiWire). According to The Wall Street Journal, the deal totals some $2.5 billion, and includes spectrum covering 72 of the United States' top 100 markets, covering about 196 million people in all. No word on how this will affect T-Mobile's
current arrangement with HiWire, or HiWire itself, for that matter, but we suspect there'll be some rather, um, interesting discussions going on behind the scenes.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Paralel @ Oct 9th 2007 11:53AM
"covering about 196 people in all"
Did you mean to say "covering about 196 million people in all" instead?
Roger Alford @ Oct 9th 2007 1:22PM
Jesus, T-Mobile is getting EFFED left and right arent they. If its not in the AWS spectrum vacation, its the HiWire thing, and now it seems to also be the 700Mhz spectrum auction they showed "interest" in. Looks like AT&T didnt want to play fair and bid in the auction. What does this show? It shows AT&T is DESPERATE for more spectrum because they screwed up their 3G badly.
ShortFuse @ Oct 10th 2007 12:54AM
That was really smart on AT&T's part. Aloha Partners won the FCC auction in 2001/2003. Spending $2.5 billion is probably cheaper than bidding for it in January. I guess this explains why they didn't have plans to expand their already existent 3G Spectrum. They can use this spectrum for 3G/4G. Since it's their spectrum, they own it, they can use it solely for AT&T Mobility and forget about the 1900MHZ. They'll have to keep the 1900mhz spectrum up and running because they can't just shutdown their network. Many users would have their 3G disabled on their phones. The 3G networks already standing are being upgraded to HSUPA but don't expect them to be expanded geographically. 1900mhz UMTS/HSDPA will be phased out. Unfortunately, that means your current 3.5G phone will be incompatible. :(
I found it strange that since AT&T took over Cingular, the 3G rollover stopped.
According to data found here: http://www.dailywireless.org/2007/10/09/att-buys-700mhz-from-aloha/ that means it'll be a 1/4 of the price per 1000 sq miles if they switch to 700mhz. 4x cheaper, 4x the coverage per site. They need this to catch up to Verizon and Sprint. All they need a 1/4 of the number of towers as them and they'll catch up. If their devices run on 700mhz, it won't suck up so much power increasing battery life and also increasing propagation (4x). AT&T must have had its eye on this for a while.
dink @ Oct 13th 2007 12:27AM
See this is why AT&T didn't make any fuss about the whole FCC open access rules, because they knew they were buying company. Now that they have ample 700mhz they dont have to worry about it. Gee if some other sevice provided had done this everyone would have jump all over it, but since its AT&T its fine. I have all cell phone providers CDMA/GSM the only thing I do like are the features that they offer like WiMAX, 2way video sharing, and even Live TV feeds.
Just dont call me a fanboy...