US telecoms giant AT&T is looking to acquire spectrum licences from CenturyTel Broadband Wireless, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyLink.
In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), AT&T sought the regulator’s permission to obtain…
US telecoms giant AT&T is looking to acquire spectrum licences from CenturyTel Broadband Wireless, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyLink.
In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), AT&T sought the regulator’s permission to obtain licences in the lower 700MHz band and AWS licences from CenturyTel.
AT&T said the additional spectrum will enable it to increase its system capacity and spectral efficiency and respond to growing consumer demand.
Reports suggest this deal is one of a number of spectrum acquisitions AT&T is working on as it looks to catch up with rival Verizon Wireless, which stole a march on AT&T last month when the FCC approved its US$3.9bn purchase of AWS spectrum.
AT&T is reportedly looking to spend a total of US$2.6bn on spectrum through smaller purchases, and the operator is thought to have proposed at least 24 spectrum deals in the last four months.
In this transaction, AT&T wants to acquire a total of 61 spectrum licences: 51 lower 700 MHz Band B block licences, four lower 700 MHz Band C block licences, and six AWS licences.
The frequencies cover 54 cellular market areas located in 14 states throughout the US.
CenturyLink offers fixed-line, broadband and digital television services. It has operated wireless services in the past but now offers bundling with Verizon.
