AT&T late last week reiterated its opposition to a government mandate that the carrier include lower A-Block support to its 700 MHz plans, citing continued interference concerns and currently available devices and equipment already supporting that spectrum band.
A number of regional operators and trade associations are asking the Federal Communications Commission to move forward with a Band 12 classification for the lower 700 MHz spectrum band that would require operators and equipment makers to include the lower A-, B- and C-Block spectrum bands into their service and equipment. Proponents of the Band Class 12 have countered those interference claims.
AT&T has said that potential interference issues with the A-Block from adjacent television and the E-Block would impact the usability of its services that use just the B- and C-Block.
As in previous attempts to block a Band 12 mandate, AT&T cited regional operator U.S. Cellular, which has launched LTE services using its A-Block licenses. AT&T noted that U.S. Cellular has launched a handful of LTE devices with access to the A-Block, as well as multi-band support enabling roaming for various other spectrum bands.
At the end of the filing, AT&T also reiterated its position that the FCC needs to take care of interference issues with the A-Block, including incentivizing current television channel 51 users to relocate and to ensure that E-Block spectrum band users are prevented from launching services that could cause interference with the A-Block.
“Strong commission leadership in these areas will bring immense benefits: increased spectrum capacity, accelerated broadband investment, improved LTE service quality and an environment that provides the industry with even greater flexibility to balance interoperability and other needs in ways that promote the public interest,” noted Joan Marsh, VP federal regulatory at AT&T.
The A-Block spectrum is also associated with Verizon Wireless, which had said it would auction off its A- and B-Block spectrum holdings in the 700 MHz band if the government approved its planned acquisition of 1.7/2.1 GHz spectrum holdings from a handful of cable operators, something government regulators approved last week. Verizon Wireless is currently relying on its upper C-Block 700 MHz spectrum licenses to provide broad LTE coverage, with plans to use the 1.7/2.1 GHz licenses to add capacity.
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