FCC approves sale of nationwide spectrum to AT&T
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The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved the purchase by AT&amp;T of 12MHz of wireless spectrum that covers 60 percent of the U.S.AT&amp;T bought the spectrum from Aloha Spectrum Holdings. The spectrum, in the highly coveted 700MHz band, covers 196 million of the 303 million U.S. residents and includes 72 of the top 100 media markets in the country. Aloha acquired the spectrum in earlier FCC auctions and from other auction winners. This portion of the 700MHz spectrum is not part of the&#160;FCC auction&#160;now in progress.The FCC, in an order issued Monday, approved the sale despite concerns expressed by the commission&#39;s two Democratic members. AT&amp;T announced in October that it intended to buy the spectrum for $2.5 billion. The company said then it planned to use the spectrum for broadcast video or for two-way communications such as voice, data or multicast content.The 700MHz spectrum band carries wireless signals three to four times farther than some higher spectrum bands, making it optimal for long-range broadband networks.Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said he voted to approve the deal because of a lack of public opposition, but he had concerns about the FCC&#39;s review of the deal.The agency&#39;s review &quot;lacks both substance and analysis in its review of whether, on balance, the transaction serves the public&#39;s interest,&quot; Adelstein said in a statement. &quot;We are required to do more than simply conclude that a transaction benefits the public and will not have an adverse effect on competition. I would have preferred to see a more thorough assessment weighing the potential public interest harms and benefits of this transaction and its impact on the mobile telephony market.&quot;Commissioner Michael Copps voted against the deal. The deal could have a large impact on a mobile voice and data market &quot;that has seen round after round of consolidation in recent years,&quot; he said in a statement.Copps also raised concerns about the FCC&#39;s review of the deal. The review &quot;contains only an extremely abbreviated analysis of the competitive effects of this change in ownership,&quot; he said.AT&amp;T, in a statement, said it was pleased with the FCC&#39;s decision. The deal will help AT&amp;T meet growing customer demand for wireless services, the company said.
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One day and two rounds into the long-awaited spectrum auction by the Federal Communications Commission, the highest bids total $2.78 billion, according to news reports. The auctioned frequencies could result in a new era for broadband wireless, unlocked handsets, and nationwide emergency communications.
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Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell recommended that the agency approve Cingular Wireless&#39; proposed $41 billion purchase of Redmond-based AT&amp;T Wireless Services, a person familiar with the matter said.
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U.S. regulators are set to give  Cingular Wireless final approval for its $41 billion purchase  of AT&T Wireless Services Inc. AWE.N on Monday, on condition  that it sells assets including wireless airwaves in more than  16 markets, according to a source close to the deal.
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Cingular Wireless LLC on Monday said MetroPCS Inc. will buy some of its wireless spectrum licenses in a $230 million cash deal designed to help meet conditions set by regulators as part of its acquisition of AT&amp;T Wireless Services Inc.
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U.S. antitrust authorities on   Thursday approved rural telephone operator Alltel Corp.'s   AT.N $1.075 billion deal to buy Midwest Wireless Holdings.
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Range wars The US auction of AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum in the 1.7GHz and 2.1GHz bands is finally drawing to a close, raising a likely $14bn for the government in the sale of the largest block of spectrum (1,112 licenses) offered by the FCC regulator.â¦
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Cingular Wireless completed its purchase of AT&amp;T Wireless yesterday after the Federal Communications Commission signed off on the $41 billion deal that creates the country&#39;s largest mobile phone provider.
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The Federal Communications Commission is slated to approve the $67 billion purchase of BellSouth by telecom giant AT&T, formerly known as SBC. Shareholders approved the merger in July and expected government regulators to demand the combined company shed some assets.
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Cingular Wireless LLC won approval from US regulators for its $41 billion purchase of AT&amp;T Wireless Services Inc. on the condition the companies sell airwaves and give up customers in
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The Federal Communications Commission on Monday approved rural telephone operator Alltel Corp.'s  $1 billion acquisition of Midwest Wireless Holdings.
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The US Department of Justice approved Cingular Wireless LLC&#39;s $41 billion purchase of AT&amp;T Wireless Services Inc. on Monday.
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Clearwire has acquired spectrum from AT&T that is well-suited to help the company expand its WiMAX coverage.
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Verizon Wireless said it has reached a deal to buy all of NextWave&#39;s remaining spectrum licenses for US$3 billion in cash, just the latest instance of consolidation in the wireless industry
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WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission today conditionally approved the $41 billion merger of Cingular Wireless LLC and AT&amp;T Wireless Services Inc.
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The Department of Justice (DoJ) today announced that it would approve Cingular&#39;s $41 billion dollar acquisition of AT&amp;T Wireless (Quote, Chart), provided the mobile carrier sells assets, such as spectrum and customer contracts, in 11 states.
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Cingular Wireless LLC&#39;s $41 billion buyout of rival AT&amp;T Wireless Services Inc., approved Tuesday by the Federal Communications Commission, is expected to give customers