T-Mobile Says Sinclair Merger Could Hurt Broadband Deployment FCC boss Ajit Pai has been working tirelessly to help eliminate media consolidation rules, in order to help shovel through Sinclair Broadcasting's $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune. And while consumer advocates oppose the deal for its negative impact on competition and local programming availability, T-Mobile has come out in opposition to the merger for another reason: it will slow T-mobile's implementation of the 600 MHz spectrum it acquired earlier this year at the FCC's broadcaster incentive auction.

As we just got done noting , T-Mobile wants to use this $8 billion in new spectrum holdings to notably beef up its network, particularly when it comes to this particular spectrum's indoor penetration. But before T-Mobile can use this spectrum, the FCC needs to help broadcasters transition their operations to different frequencies and channel shares before the spectrum can be put to use. The FCC has set aside 39 months for the reauthorization and relicensing of TV stations and T-Mobile says it's working closely with broadcasters to help move the transition along. But in a new filing with the FCC, T-Mobile says Sinclair's Tribune deal could dramatically hamper this transition and slow T-Mobile's network improvements. Why? Sinclair has opposed the transfer of this spectrum from the start, and T-Mobile believes it will use its broader power and leverage to make life difficult for carriers trying to utilize this spectrum. “The 'New' Sinclair will have over 110 stations slated for repacking and over 50 stations vacating the newly created 600 MHz band -- making it by far the largest broadcaster engaged in repacking," T-Mobile told the FCC. "In addition to broadcast stations, Sinclair also controls Dielectric, the nation’s largest television antenna manufacturer, and Acrodyne Services, a television equipment servicing company; and owns numerous broadcasting tower and transmission sites. This massive portfolio of stations and vertically integrated businesses will provide New Sinclair with multiple means to thwart the repacking process in practically every region of the country." The "uncarrier" informs the FCC if T-Mobile is to keep its progress of deploying this spectrum to 1 million-plus square miles of the country with service by the end of the year, the FCC will need to impose conditions mandating that Sinclair adhere to all of the broadcaster transition agreements already in place. Consumer advocates also warn the Sinclair deal could hinder not only T-Mobile's 600 MHz plans, but Microsoft's White Space broadband plans, which involve using unlicensed spectrum to deploy an entirely new broadband option to twelve states. "The transaction could also delay mobile broadband deployment in the 600 MHz band, and stifle permissionless innovation in the TV White Spaces, hindering efforts to close the digital divide," Public Knowledge said in a "The transaction could also delay mobile broadband deployment in the 600 MHz band, and stifle permissionless innovation in the TV White Spaces, hindering efforts to close the digital divide," Public Knowledge said in a statement . "Deployment delays in the 600 MHz spectrum would prevent competitive and rural wireless carriers from meeting the growing consumer demand for mobile broadband, and impeding new uses of unoccupied TV spectrum could thwart development of new technologies that have the potential to bring connectivity to the most sparsely populated parts of the US."







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Most recommended from 13 comments



n2jtx

join:2001-01-13

Glen Head, NY 8 recommendations n2jtx Member Renegotiate If the FCC hampers T-Mobile's ability to access the 600MHz they purchased licenses for, they should consider lawyering up and demand a partial refund of the $8 billion they spent. What is the point of shelling out all the money for a property you cannot put to use to recoup that investment? rradina

join:2000-08-08

Chesterfield, MO 920.3 39.3

·Charter

6 recommendations rradina Member ATT and Verizon If T-Mobile's complaint has merit, it's implicit that ATT and Verizon will support the merger.



I don't usually wear a tinfoil hat but is it also plausible for ATT to use their content holdings in an effort to encourage Sinclair? Of course such a clause would never be in a contract. Just a "harmless" 19th hole handshake. Thistool

join:2013-12-05

Auburn, WA 5 recommendations Thistool Member Could see this. The proliferation of OTA re-surging. Having one broadcaster controlling 49% of the OTA market could ruin there advertisement budget. Cable/satellite tv going the way of the dodo with cord cutting. Didnt VZW and ATT have to go through this in 2008/2009? RF jockies see any Merritt in the claims of 600mhz deployment being slowed ? I mean 39 months thats a long long time, and im sure some will get waivers and something somewhere rural will never get moved.