More than 93 percent of devices that operate on AT&T’s lower 700 MHz network are now Band 12 capable, exceeding the 75 percent threshold the carrier set in its interoperability commitment to the FCC, the carrier revealed this week.
In a Tuesday update on its progress toward its 700 MHz interoperability benchmarks, the carrier also reported 100 percent of new M-to-M devices launched during the second year of the device roll outs were Band 12 capable.
Additionally, AT&T said it already supports roaming on LTE networks with compatible 3G networks and will to expand that capability further throughout this year. The carrier plans to enable VoLTE Roaming for carriers with incompatible 3G networks in the second half of 2017, according to the document.
The filing comes as a follow up to an October 2013 order from the FCC meant to resolve the lack of interoperability between smaller carriers like T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and C Spire using Band 12 and larger carriers like AT&T using Band 17 in the lower 700 MHz band. At the time, AT&T raised its hand to commit to begin rolling out interoperable devices that could function on both Band 12 and Band 17 within 24 months.
That pledge, AT&T said, is now fulfilled.
“The FCC goal of promoting interoperability in the Lower 700MHz spectrum has been met,” AT&T wrote. “In the intervening year since the Fourth Progress Report, there is near universal availability of Band 12 devices for smaller carriers and a plethora of new devices have been introduced. In addition, carriers have continued to roll-out Voice over LTE service on 700MHz A-Block Spectrum.”
But we can expect to hear from AT&T again on the matter. According to its commitment statement, the carrier will release a sixth and final update in six months and will file a certification with the FCC at the end of the device roll out period to certify final completion.
Filed Under: Telecommunications (Spectrum)
