FCC Greenlights AT&T's NextWave, Spectrum Acquisitions

The FCC has approved AT&T's pending acquisition of NextWave Wireless and other pending WCS spectrum acquisitions. The FCC previously approved a joint proposal from AT&T and Sirius XM that permits deployment of mobile broadband service in the WCS band.

"The long era of dispute and uncertainty surrounding the WCS spectrum band is finally over. With the order released this week, AT&T will be able to complete acquisitions that will give it a path to robust commercial LTE deployment in the WCS band," said Joan Marsh, AT&T vice president of Federal Regulatory.

"We applaud the FCC chairman and commissioners for their commitment to fostering innovative spectrum solutions that unlock under-utilized spectrum bands to serve the growing demands of American consumers," Marsh continued. "Repositioning the WCS band for LTE deployment is a significant accomplishment which will spur aggressive investment by AT&T and create good paying jobs across the wireless and technology eco-systems. This is also a win for our customers, who will benefit from today's Order for years to come as we realize the spectrum's full potential to enhance our wireless broadband offerings."

AT&T intends to deploy WCS spectrum for added 4G LTE capacity in approximately three years. AT&T now expects the NextWave transaction will close during the first quarter of 2013.