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FCC Gives Final Approval for AT&T to Use WCS Spectrum
AT&T Suggests WCS LTE Could Be Running by 2015

The FCC has formally approved AT&T's plan to use WCS spectrum to aid in their deployment of mobile (and potentially fixed residential) LTE services. The agency began circulating an order this week allowing AT&T a 20 MHz chunk of spectrum in the 2.3 GHz WCS to use for LTE. AT&T and Sirius XM had recently filed a proposal (pdf) with the FCC suggesting a change to the rules governing WCS spectrum, with the intention of limiting any interference for XM radio.

In a blog post, AT&T says they're aiming for a 2015 launch of the new network:

quote:
AT&T took real risks to develop this under-utilized band and is committed to devoting the resources necessary to unlock its full potential. We expect to commence deployment of LTE infrastructure in the band in as early as three years, allowing us to enhance our wireless broadband services. Our customers will also win, as additional spectrum capacity becomes available to support surging mobile Internet usage.
AT&T has been on a WCS acquisition spree -- recently acquiring NextWave for $600 million, with additional WCS spectrum deals planned with Comcast and Horizon Wi-Com. In addition to more acquisitions, AT&T also needs to get approval from standards organizations to use WCS spectrum for LTE services (which should happen, but will take time).

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dcorwin82257
join:2012-03-21

dcorwin82257

Member

Thanks now I get to spend more for LESS

FCC, this was a POOR decision. This just costs people more money and creates more garbage in our landfills. All the QAM TV tuners just became garbage. Now I have buy a damn roof antenna which means I'll get LESS channels thanks to the Appalachian mountains. Yes I know I could always just go out and buy a nice new $200 Ceton tv tuner that takes a cable card but, from the mixed reviews and the cost, I don't think so.

Modems fees, STB fees, and what's next? A fee for being a customer? Go F your self TWC, Comcast, the FCC, and all other big time corps that try to force my hands into giving you my money. Your making my life difficult.

cableties
Premium Member
join:2005-01-27

cableties

Premium Member

Re: Thanks now I get to spend more for LESS

Oh come on. Atleast you don't need a rotor!

Gilitar
join:2012-02-01
Mobile, AL

Gilitar to dcorwin82257

Member

to dcorwin82257
said by dcorwin82257:

FCC, this was a POOR decision. This just costs people more money and creates more garbage in our landfills. All the QAM TV tuners just became garbage. Now I have buy a damn roof antenna which means I'll get LESS channels thanks to the Appalachian mountains. Yes I know I could always just go out and buy a nice new $200 Ceton tv tuner that takes a cable card but, from the mixed reviews and the cost, I don't think so.

Modems fees, STB fees, and what's next? A fee for being a customer? Go F your self TWC, Comcast, the FCC, and all other big time corps that try to force my hands into giving you my money. Your making my life difficult.

Off topic much?

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5 to dcorwin82257

Premium Member

to dcorwin82257
said by dcorwin82257:

FCC, this was a POOR decision. This just costs people more money and creates more garbage in our landfills. All the QAM TV tuners just became garbage. Now I have buy a damn roof antenna which means I'll get LESS channels thanks to the Appalachian mountains. Yes I know I could always just go out and buy a nice new $200 Ceton tv tuner that takes a cable card but, from the mixed reviews and the cost, I don't think so.

Modems fees, STB fees, and what's next? A fee for being a customer? Go F your self TWC, Comcast, the FCC, and all other big time corps that try to force my hands into giving you my money. Your making my life difficult.

You are in the wrong topic. This is the one you should have posted in: »FCC Approves Basic Cable Encryption [57] comments
MyDogHsFleas
Premium Member
join:2007-08-15
Austin, TX

MyDogHsFleas

Premium Member

Tech analysis anyone?

How good is this spectrum? Characteristics? Will it work with existing phones?

And what does this have to do with QAM tuners? Nothing?
RyC
join:2007-08-18
San Luis Obispo, CA

RyC

Member

Re: Tech analysis anyone?

Definitely correct me if I'm wrong, but I've heard the 2.3 ghz band has some trouble penetrating through walls.

d2k
@optonline.net

d2k

Anon

Re: Tech analysis anyone?

I believe you'd have an external device that transmits local wifi or LTE into the home.

leibold
MVM
join:2002-07-09
Sunnyvale, CA
Netgear CG3000DCR
ZyXEL P-663HN-51

leibold to MyDogHsFleas

MVM

to MyDogHsFleas
said by MyDogHsFleas:

How good is this spectrum? Characteristics? Will it work with existing phones?

The characteristics should be comparable to other LTE bands since it is between band 1 and band 7 in frequency. However some of it will depend on the signal strength that will be used (I'm not sure whether the agreement with Sirius included a cap on signal strength).

There is already an LTE band specified in that frequency range (band 40) used (or intended for future use) in parts of Asia using TD-LTE.

The probability of any existing handset working with this new WCS LTE band is next to nil. For softradio handsets it may only take a software update to make them compatible but I don't see any incentive to either AT&T or handset manufacturers to produce such an update when they can make more money selling you a new phone.

It is not even clear that AT&T is planning to use that band for mobile phone applications. They may just use it for fixed wireless data networks where it is much easier to control interference issues then with mobile applications.
betam4x
join:2002-10-12
Nashville, TN

betam4x

Member

Re: Tech analysis anyone?

I can see AT&T using it for fixed wireless. Does anyone know how much of this spectrum they have access to? Is it nationwide? Could end up being a play to replace DSL similar to Verizon's home fusion (which is overpriced IMHO.)

d2k
@optonline.net

d2k to leibold

Anon

to leibold
Their agreement with SiriusXM essentially precludes mobile usage.
MyDogHsFleas
Premium Member
join:2007-08-15
Austin, TX

MyDogHsFleas

Premium Member

Re: Tech analysis anyone?

said by d2k :

Their agreement with SiriusXM essentially precludes mobile usage.

Really! That is interesting. Can you say more about that?