T-Mobile US taps cartoon medium as FCC nears 600 MHz auction decision
T-Mobile US continues to tap the video medium in its attempt to garner support for its view that the Federal Communications Commission should set aside more spectrum for its upcoming 600 MHz incentive auction outside the reach of Verizon Communications and AT&T. The moves could indicate the carrier is losing confidence in its lobbying efforts.
Following on the heels of a video tirade released earlier this month under the “If you’re not pissed off, you’re not paying attention” heading, T-Mobile US this week released its “The battle for wireless freedom” video that continues the argument in a cartoon format.
The points made in the latest video center on vilifying Verizon and AT&T for wanting to gain access to more low-band spectrum to the detriment of consumers, while noting T-Mobile US’ attempts to gain access to spectrum will benefit consumers. To counter that possibility, T-Mobile US is arguing that the Federal Communications Commission needs to increase the amount of spectrum set aside in the 600 MHz incentive auction that AT&T and Verizon can’t bid on.
Verizon and AT&T both countered Legere’s initial arguments.
The FCC initially released auction rules last year that would set aside no more than 30 megahertz of spectrum in each market that would only be available to bidders currently controlling less than one-third of spectrum in those markets below the 1 GHz level. That move followed guidelines proposed by T-Mobile US in 2013 as part of its “dynamic market rules” filing.
However, T-Mobile US has more recently stated it feels the FCC should set aside 40 megahertz of spectrum in each market, or roughly half of the expected amount of spectrum to be gleaned through the reverse auction process with television broadcasters. That 40 megahertz amount could theoretically allow for at least two players to procure a sizable 20 megahertz of spectrum in those markets.
T-Mobile US’ increased rhetoric could be connected to recent reports that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will recommend the government agency deny T-Mobile US’ request.
Wheeler noted in a recent blog post that the commission staff briefed the commissioners’ staffs on proposed recommendations for final auction rules that “ensures that competitive wireless carriers and new entrants have a clear shot at adding sufficient low-band spectrum to their portfolios so that they can compete more effectively in both rural and urban areas.”
“No single party will be happy with everything we’ve done, but the final product is a balanced solution to a challenging situation with more moving parts than a Swiss watch,” Wheeler stated.
Wheeler also noted that the full commission staff approved revised rules designed to provide more flexibility to television broadcasters to share spectrum assets that would in turn open up the ability to return more spectrum to the FCC.
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