Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

FCC opens docket on Verizon AWS buys

By atesmeh | January 12, 2012

Share

The FCC has started formal proceedings for its review of Verizon Wireless’ multi-billion-dollar purchases of AWS spectrum from a group of cable companies that purchased the spectrum five years ago but never realized their plans to use it.

The agency opened a docket for the transactions late Thursday, WT Docket No. 12-4.

Verizon submitted applications with the FCC to transfer control of the AWS licenses on Dec. 21.

The FCC said it has not yet accepted the applications for filing. When it does, the agency will set out a formal pleading schedule for the deals.

The Department of Justice is also reviewing the transactions, a standard development for large acquisitions.

The FCC uses a self-imposed 180 deadline to time its review of transactions but has been known to pause the so-called shot clock during complicated proceedings. It stopped the clock on AT&T’s $1.9 billion purchase of Qualcomm’s Flo TV spectrum last fall to study “related issues” to the operator’s now failed attempt to buy T-Mobile USA.

Verizon announced last month that it was paying $3.6 billion for a huge swath of AWS licenses from Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, and it later announced a separate $315 million deal to buy another chunk of AWS spectrum from Cox Communications. The combined licenses cover about 287 million people nationwide.

The four cable operators bought the spectrum during the FCC’s 2006 auction, when they placed a winning bid of $2.4 billion for the airwaves. Cox eventually split off from the group to pursue its own wireless ambitions but later gave up on the plan. The other cable operators never deployed services on their spectrum.

Verizon plans to use the spectrum to add capacity to its LTE network, which runs in its nationwide footprint of 700 MHz spectrum.

The FCC’s review will give groups opposed to Verizon’s spectrum grab a chance to make their case. The deals are likely to face opposition from the Rural Cellular Association, which last month issued a statement voicing concern about the transactions’ impact on competition.

“The proposed spectrum sale would exacerbate the current difficulties competitive carriers have seeking data roaming agreements, obtaining devices and entering the marketplace,” RCA President and CEO Steven Berry said in December.

Verizon has filed a statement with the FCC arguing the deals were in the public interest as part of the application it submitted last month.


Filed Under: Industry regulations

 

Related Articles Read More >

ids-industrial-camera-manufacturer.sustainability-3
IDS focuses on sustainability in shipping
Part 5: Motion control + MQTT, OPC-UA, and other protocols for cloud services
Facebook CEO Zuckerberg Calls for More Outside Regulation
Musk’s Boring Company Calls it Quits on LA Tunnel, Instead Focuses on Hyperloop

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development
  • How to Increase Rotational Capacity for a Retaining Ring
  • Cordis high resolution electronic proportional pressure controls
  • WAGO’s custom designed interface wiring system making industrial applications easier
  • 10 Reasons to Specify Valve Manifolds
  • Case study: How a 3D-printed tool saved thousands of hours and dollars

Design World Podcasts

May 17, 2022
Another view on additive and the aerospace industry
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings