4:30 PM Ma Bell tells the FCC that it has come up with a compromise package with Sirius XM to deploy 4G LTE services in the 2.3Ghz satellite radio band

Dan Jones, Mobile Editor

June 19, 2012

2 Min Read
Why's AT&T Eyeing Its WCS Spectrum for LTE?

4:30 PM -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) may be constantly concerned about the availability of bandwidth for deploying more 4G services, but it is never short on plans and proposals to open up more spectrum.

AT&T and Sirius Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) now say that they have come to a compromise over how LTE could be deployed in 2.3GHz Wireless Communication Services (WCS) spectrum blocks close to the existing radio service while minimizing interference. The companies are asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve the proposal so that testing can begin.

AT&T is the one of main holders of the WCS licenses -- through both auction and acquisition -- but has struggled with potential interference issues with Sirius. The radio service uses both satellite signal and repeaters on the ground to get music over-the-air to its subscribers.

Now AT&T and Sirius are proposing:

  • The C and D blocks of the spectrum aren't used by WCS transmitters so that they serve as a guard around the satellite digital radio broadcasting spectrum.

  • Transmit power for WCS devices and base stations is limited so that interference problems are mitigated.

  • AT&T is allowed to deploy its standard two-channel 4G LTE FDD technology in part of the A and B blocks.



Not so long ago, AT&T was trying to sell off the C and D WCS blocks, but now it seems to have a new plan. The question is, what exactly?

The operator has already tried fixed wireless in the band with BellSouth. It has previously suggested the C and D blocks could be used for wireless backhaul. Any LTE build would obviously be a long-term proposition with the extra testing likely needed at the start of the process.

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile

About the Author(s)

Dan Jones

Mobile Editor

Dan is to hats what Will.I.Am is to ridiculous eyewear. Fedora, trilby, tam-o-shanter -- all have graced the Jones pate during his career as the go-to purveyor of mobile essentials.

But hey, Dan is so much more than 4G maps and state-of-the-art headgear. Before joining the Light Reading team in 2002 he was an award-winning cult hit on Broadway (with four 'Toni' awards, two 'Emma' gongs and a 'Brian' to his name) with his one-man show, "Dan Sings the Show Tunes."

His perfectly crafted blogs, falling under the "Jonestown" banner, have been compared to the works of Chekhov. But only by Dan.

He lives in Brooklyn with cats.

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