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Tag: FCC

  • FCC Proposes Emergency Broadband Rules to Assist Low-Income Households

    FCC Proposes Emergency Broadband Rules to Assist Low-Income Households

    FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed rules to the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) to assist low-income households.

    Late in 2020, Congress authorized the creation of a $3.2 billion federal initiative to help low-income households stay connected via discounts to their internet bills. Qualifying households may also receive a discount on a computer or tablet. The initiative is especially important during the pandemic, when record numbers are working from home or engaging in remote learning.

    The EBBP allows for households to received up to $50 per month off of their broadband bill, while those on Tribal lands may receive up to $75 per month.

    “As we work our way through a pandemic that has upended so much in our day-to-day life, we have been asked to migrate so many of the things we do online. From work to healthcare to education, this crisis has made it clear that without an internet connection too many households are locked out of modern life. It’s more apparent than ever that broadband is no longer nice-to- have. It’s need-to-have,” said Rosenworcel. “But too many of us are struggling to afford this critical service. Late last year Congress directed the FCC to establish a new Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to assist families struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. Today I’m proud to advance a proposal to my colleagues to implement this program so we can help as many eligible households as possible. No one should have to choose between paying their internet bill or paying to put food on the table. With the help of the Emergency Broadband Benefit, we have a new way for households to access virtual learning, for patients to connect to telehealth providers, and for those struggling in this pandemic to learn new online skills and seek their next job.”

  • FCC Establishes Task Force to Address Broadband Access

    FCC Establishes Task Force to Address Broadband Access

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established a task force to revamp the agency’s broadband mapping tools.

    The FCC is responsible for mapping broadband access to provide a complete picture of broadband availability. The data is important to help the FCC close the “digital divide” between those who have quality internet access and those that don’t. In the age of the pandemic and remote work, this data is more important than ever. Unfortunately, the FCC’s current mapping is out-of-date and, in many cases, not accurate.

    The Broadband Data Task Force will be chaired by Jean Kiddoo, and will work to modernize the FCC’s tools.

    “The Broadband Data Task Force will lead a cross-agency effort to collect detailed data and develop more precise maps about broadband availability,” said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “I thank Jean and her team for their willingness to take on this vitally important project.”

    “I am honored that Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel has asked me to lead this momentous and multifaceted Commission initiative,” remarked Ms. Kiddoo, who will also continue to serve as Chair of the Incentive Auction Task Force.

    Updated mapping tools and information will help the FCC direct the necessary resources and efforts where they are needed most.

  • DOJ Halts Net Neutrality Lawsuit Against California

    DOJ Halts Net Neutrality Lawsuit Against California

    The Department of Justice (DOJ) has withdrawn a lawsuit challenging California’s net neutrality rules.

    Net neutrality rules were passed during the Obama administration, with widespread support from companies, tech advocates and citizens. In short, net neutrality ensures a company can’t discriminate against a certain type of internet traffic just because it may have a financial motivation to do so. For example, Comcast would not be allowed to charge more for access to Netflix, just because Netflix competes against Comcast’s media properties.

    Under the Trump administration, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted along party lines to repeal net neutrality. A coalition of companies sued to overturn the ruling, but the court upheld the FCC’s right to repeal. At the same time, however, the courts also ruled that the FCC could not prevent individual states from establishing their own net neutrality legislation.

    California was quick to pass its own rules and, despite the court’s initial ruling, the FCC sued to try to block California’s efforts. With a change of administration, however, the DOJ has withdrawn its suit against California.

    In a statement, acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel praised the DOJ’s decision:

    I am pleased that the Department of Justice has withdrawn this lawsuit. When the FCC, over my objection, rolled back its net neutrality policies, states like California sought to fill the void with their own laws. By taking this step, Washington is listening to the American people, who overwhelmingly support an open internet, and is charting a course to once again make net neutrality the law of the land.

    Many are expecting federal net neutrality rules to be re-established, now that the White House is once again under Democratic control. The DOJ dropping its lawsuit seems like a first step in that direction.

  • SpaceX Now Has Over 10,000 Starlink Internet Customers

    SpaceX Now Has Over 10,000 Starlink Internet Customers

    SpaceX has crossed a significant milestone, announcing it now has over 10,000 subscribers to its Starlink internet service.

    Starlink is a constellation of satellites in low-Earth orbit, designed to provide internet access to remote and underserved communities. Because the satellites are in low-Earth orbit, the service offers relatively high speeds and low latency, unlike traditional satellite internet services.

    The service just entered beta in late-October, expanding to the UK in January. Despite its short time on the market, the service has already passed 10,000 users, according to an FCC filing (PDF).

    Starlink’s performance is not theoretical or experimental. Over 10,000 users in the United States and abroad are using the service today. While its performance is rapidly accelerating in real time as part of its public beta program, the Starlink network has already successfully demonstrated it can surpass the Commission’s “Above Baseline” and “Low Latency” performance tiers.

    Starlink’s speed has been its biggest selling point, with many users seeing speeds in excess of 150 Mbps, combined with latency as low as 39 ms. Because many customers live in remote areas, in some cases, users were only getting single-digit speeds — or less — prior to making the switch to Starlink.

  • Carriers Go All-In On Mid-Band 5G

    Carriers Go All-In On Mid-Band 5G

    The FCC’s mid-band spectrum auction has concluded its initial phase, and the bidding reveals carriers are all-in on mid-band.

    Throughout much of the world, mid-band spectrum has been the cornerstone of 5G rollouts. In the US, however, the Big Three carriers have focused on low and high-band. The only exception is T-Mobile, which inherited a wealth of mid-band spectrum from its acquisition of Sprint, and immediately began deploying it.

    As Forbes’ Bob O’Donnell points out, all three carriers have spent big at the FCC auction, speaking volumes about their view of the 5G market. Verizon has spent approximately $30 billion, AT&T has spent $20 billion and T-Mobile has spent $10 billion.

    As O’Donnell points out, regardless of how much each carrier has been touting their low-band network for its coverage, or their high-band mmWave network for its speed, mid-band is clearly where it’s at. Mid-band is widely seen as the sweet spot for 5G, offering a good balance of coverage and speed. In fact, T-Mobile has even demonstrated speeds of 1 Gps using its current mid-band spectrum. At the same time, mid-band offers far better coverage than the couple of hundred meters that mmWave offers.

    Another benefit of US carriers rallying around mid-band is that it helps phone and cellphone radio makers consolidate the number of frequencies they have to support.

    Either way, the investment is good news for customers.

  • FCC Will Investigate East Coast Internet Outage

    FCC Will Investigate East Coast Internet Outage

    A large portion of the East Coast, from D.C. to Boston, was hit with an outage Tuesday and the FCC plans to find out why.

    Around 11:00 AM Tuesday, users of multiple companies began reporting outages along the East Coast. Verizon soon announced a fiber line had been cut in Brooklyn. While the company did not say that was responsible for the widespread outage, it no doubt played a significant role. Unfortunately, however, details are still hard to come by.

    Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wants the FCC to get to the bottom of the issue, especially given the widespread impact on remote workers.

    We will continue monitoring and provide updates as more information becomes available.

  • On His Way Out, Ajit Pai Warns of China’s Threats to Telecoms

    On His Way Out, Ajit Pai Warns of China’s Threats to Telecoms

    Ajit Pai has stepped down as Federal Communications Commission Chairman (FCC), but he had some parting words of warning regarding China.

    For the last few years, the US and China have been engaged in a devastating trade war. US officials have also targeted a number of Chinese companies over cybersecurity and national security concerns.

    In an interview with Reuters, Pai warned of “injection of malware into networks here in the United States or around the world. There are a number of bad things that can happen when insecure equipment is used to handle sensitive information.”

    Those concerns led the Trump administration to ban Huawei and ZTE, as well as take action against China Telecom. US officials pressured allies to take similar action, many of whom did. It remains to be seen if the Biden administration will continue to restrict Chinese telecom firms, but Pai is warning against taking Beijing lightly in this arena.

    “The Chinese Communist Party has a very determined world view. They want to dominate this space and exert their will — even beyond their own borders,” Pai said Tuesday. “That is a serious threat not just to internet freedom but to national security for us and for many of our allies.”

  • Charter Ends Petition to Get Government Approval For Data Caps

    Charter Ends Petition to Get Government Approval For Data Caps

    Charter is ending its petition to get government approval for imposing broadband data limits on customers.

    Charter is somewhat unique in that it must get government approval before imposing data limits. While other internet service providers (ISPs) are free to do what the market will bear, Charter’s restrictions were imposed as terms of its purchase of Time Warner Cable.

    The company submitted its request in June 2020. The following month, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai requested public comment on Charter’s request. Since then, no forward progress has been made.

    In a very brief filing, Charter has withdrawn its request.

    Charter Communications, Inc. respectfully withdraws its petition in the above-referenced proceeding.

    While no reason was given, a likely motivation is the incoming Biden/Harris administration and, with it, a Democratic-controlled FCC. As a result, it’s likely Charter would have faced significant pushback in any efforts to impose data caps, especially during a pandemic when internet connectivity is more important than ever.

  • AT&T Reportedly Wants to Raise $14 Billion For 5G Auction

    AT&T Reportedly Wants to Raise $14 Billion For 5G Auction

    AT&T is reportedly looking to raise $14 billion to help it buy spectrum in the current auction.

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently auctioning 5G spectrum, with wireless carriers spending heavily to secure additional resources. While analysts expected it to hit $47 billion, the auction has already crossed $81 billion with several rounds left to go.

    According to the TheStreet, AT&T is looking to raise some $14 billion to continue bidding. The auction is critical for AT&T, as well as Verizon, as the 5G wars heat up.

    T-Mobile is widely seen as the 5G leader among US carriers. It has a wealth of spectrum, both from past auctions and its recent merger with Sprint. Most importantly, T-Mobile has ample spectrum in the mid-band range, considered the sweet spot for 5G.

    The current FCC auction is for that all-important mid-band spectrum. Unlike Verizon, however, some analysts questioned whether AT&T had the financial resources to make the necessary investment it would need to stay relevant. The company’s move to sell DirecTV was seen as a way to raise the needed capital.

    In that context, it’s not surprising AT&T is possibly looking to raise $14 billion, although the company has yet to confirm the reports.

  • 5G Auction Blows Past $76 Billion, Shattering Estimates

    5G Auction Blows Past $76 Billion, Shattering Estimates

    The auction for 5G spectrum in the US has shattered estimates, passing $76 billion as of Monday.

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is holding the auction for mid-band spectrum. The spectrum is especially valuable for wireless companies, as it is seen as the sweet spot for 5G. While low-band offers excellent range and building penetration, its speed is only marginally better than 4G LTE. High-band, also known as mmWave, offers speeds in the gigabits, but is limited by extremely short range and poor penetration. Mid-band spectrum offers speeds in excess of 1 Gbps, while still providing reasonable range and penetration.

    Verizon and AT&T are especially in need of mid-band spectrum, as neither company has the enough to bridge the gap between their low and high-band 5G networks. T-Mobile, in contrast, inherited a wealth of mid-band as a result of their merger with Sprint, making the company the one to beat in the 5G market.

    As Bloomberg points out, analysts had predicted the auction could go as high as $47 billion, a figure that is now in the distant rear-view. Verizon has been the biggest bidder so far, and will likely continue to dominate the auction. The company cannot afford to walk away without massive gains if it expects to remain competitive.

    AT&T’s need is just as dire, but the company doesn’t have the resources to spend as heavily as Verizon. Some experts believe AT&T’s recent efforts to sell DirecTV may be to raise the necessary money to purchase a meaningful share of 5G spectrum.

    While T-Mobile is the company that is currently the most spectrum rich, it may want to bolster its holdings even more, especially in cities and heavily populated areas where networks can become bogged down more easily. The company also has an interest in bidding to help drive the price up, ensuring Verizon and AT&T don’t walk away with huge swaths of spectrum for a bargain basement price.

    It remains to be seen just how high the bidding will go, but the current price gives a small glimpse into just how committed US wireless carriers are to their 5G rollouts.

  • FCC Cracks Down on Robocalls, Enlists Telcos to Help

    FCC Cracks Down on Robocalls, Enlists Telcos to Help

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unveiled new rules cracking down on robocalls, requiring phone companies’ assistance.

    The FCC has been working to address robocalls, a growing problem for American consumers. Beyond simply being an annoyance, many robocalls are designed to take advantage of the unsuspecting, scamming them out of private information, money or both. Even legitimate, non-commercial, robocalls can be a nuisance when there are no limits on the volume.

    “Americans are sick and tired of unwanted and illegal robocalls, and today’s separate actions are like a one-two punch to ward them off,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Today, we are putting much needed limitations on robocalls to our homes, and taking additional steps regarding call blocking that will yield significant improvements for consumers.”

    The new rules tackle robocalls normally exempted from existing robocall regulation, such as those from tax-exempt organization, political calls and market research. The FCC will now “limit the number of exempted calls to three calls to any residential phone from any caller within any consecutive 30-day period. Previously, there was no limit on the number of non-telemarketing robocalls that any caller could make to a residence. Callers are also now required to allow consumers to opt out of these calls.”

    In addition, the FCC will require telcos to do more to crack down on robocalls on their own networks, and cooperate with the FCC and law enforcement efforts to identify the source of robocalls.

    The rules will likely be welcomed by consumers who are sick of being harassed.

  • TV and Broadband Providers Must Stop Charging Bogus Rental Fees

    TV and Broadband Providers Must Stop Charging Bogus Rental Fees

    A law prohibiting TV and broadband providers from charging a rental fee for equipment the customer owns is going into effect Sunday.

    TV and broadband providers are among the most hated industries in America. Both industries are notorious for offering “introductory pricing,” only to increase the price significantly once the period is over. The industries are also known for “hidden fees” and charging rental fees for equipment the customer owns.

    A new law is set to prohibit the latter issues starting Sunday, following a six-month extension provided by the FCC as a result of the pandemic. As part of the Television Viewer Protection Act, providers will be prohibited from charging rental fees for equipment the customer provides. The providers must also make a good-faith effort to explain fees and be transparent about the costs of service.

    It remains to be seen if companies will try to find loopholes, or abuse the definition of “good-faith,” but the regulation is a step in the right direction.

  • SpaceX Wins $885 Million In Subsidies to Expand Starlink

    SpaceX Wins $885 Million In Subsidies to Expand Starlink

    Elon Musk’s other company, SpaceX, has won $885 million in federal subsidies to help it expand its Starlink internet service.

    Starlink is the constellation of satellites SpaceX is using to provide internet access to underserved regions and communities. Unlike existing satellite options, such as HughesNet, Starlink satellites maintain a low-Earth orbit. This gives the service much lower ping and higher speeds than competing services.

    Starlink opened up beta access to customers in the latitudes currently covered by the constellation, and the results have been impressive. Customers have reported speeds in excess of 150 Mbps and ping as low as 39 ms.

    The company has now won an $885 million grant to extend its service. The Federal Communications Commission published the list of Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Auction winners. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) features prominently on the list.

    SpaceX initially plans on sending 12,000 satellites into orbit, with the constellation eventually including as many as 42,000. Given the expense of launching those satellites, the federal subsidies will likely go quickly.

  • FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Will Resign in January

    FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Will Resign in January

    Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has announced he will step down on January 20.

    Chairman Pai has presided over the FCC for the last four years, enacting a number of controversial changes. Most notably, Pai oversaw the repeal of the Obama-era net neutrality rules, as well as pursued efforts to block states from implementing their own. At the same time, under Pai’s oversight, the FCC focused on closing the digital divide and paving the way for faster 5G adoption.

    Given the incoming Biden/Harris administration’s stand on net neutrality, and tech in general, it is not surprising that Chairman Pai is planning to resign. In is statement announcing his departure Pai highlighted his accomplishments, both personal and professional:

    It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve at the Federal Communications Commission, including as Chairman of the FCC over the past four years. I am grateful to President Trump for giving me the opportunity to lead the agency in 2017, to President Obama for appointing me as a Commissioner in 2012, and to Senate Majority Leader McConnell and the Senate for twice confirming me. To be the first Asian-American to chair the FCC has been a particular privilege. As I often say: only in America.

    I also deeply appreciate the chance to have worked alongside the FCC’s talented staff. They are the agency’s best assets, and they have performed heroically, especially during the pandemic. It’s also been an honor to work with my fellow Commissioners to execute a strong and broad agenda. Together, we’ve delivered for the American people over the past four years: closing the digital divide; promoting innovation and competition, from 5G on the ground to broadband from space; protecting consumers; and advancing public safety. And this FCC has not shied away from making tough choices. As a result, our nation’s communications networks are now faster, stronger, and more widely deployed than ever before.

    Although it seems likely the incoming administration will reinstate net neutrality rules, it remains to be seen what other changes or rollbacks may be in store for current FCC policies.

  • FCC Upholds ZTE’s ‘National Security Threat’ Status

    FCC Upholds ZTE’s ‘National Security Threat’ Status

    The Federal Communications Commission has denied ZTE’s request to reconsider the decision to label it a national security threat.

    ZTE, along with Huawei, has been labeled a threat to national security over security and espionage concerns. ZTE and Huawei are believed to open the door for Beijing’s spying efforts, through their telecom equipment.

    “We cannot treat Huawei and ZTE as anything less than a threat to our collective security,” FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stated when the FCC initially labeled the two companies. As a result of the decision, companies are unable to use federal funds to buy, maintain or support equipment from ZTE or Huawei, providing a major incentive to use equipment from other companies.

    There appears to be no relief in sight for ZTE, as the FCC has upheld its initial decision after the its Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau found no sound basis to reconsider.

    “With today’s order, we are taking another important step in our ongoing efforts to protect U.S. communications networks from security risks,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “At the next Open Meeting on December 10, the Commission will vote on rules to implement the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement program to help carriers remove and replace untrusted equipment from their networks, months before the statutory deadline. Now it is more vital than ever that Congress appropriate funds so that our communications networks are protected from vendors that threaten our national security.”

  • FCC Reallocating Spectrum From Automotive Safety to Boost WiFi

    FCC Reallocating Spectrum From Automotive Safety to Boost WiFi

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to free up spectrum currently reserved for automotive safety to improve WiFi.

    The spectrum in question is the 5.9 GHz band. The spectrum was originally intended for vehicles to be able to communicate with each other, as well as to allow emergency vehicles to change traffic lights as needed. Despite the spectrum being reserved for that purpose since 1999, the automotive industry has yet to utilize the spectrum to its full potential.

    As a result, the FCC has voted to use a portion of the spectrum to improve WiFi connectivity.

    Specifically, the new band plan designates the lower 45 megahertz (5.850-5.895 GHz) for unlicensed uses and the upper 30 megahertz (5.895-5.925 GHz) for enhanced automobile safety using Cellular Vehicle-to- Everything (C-V2X) technology.

    In announcing the decision, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai discussed how the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for reliable broadband internet.

    First, there is a pressing need for us to allocate additional spectrum for unlicensed operations.2 The pandemic has underscored that consumers need access and more bandwidth to be able to engage in telework, remote learning, telehealth, and other broadband-related services. And we have proof—not a concept, but actual evidence—that 5.9 GHz spectrum can help quickly address this need.

    Pai also emphasized how the automotive industry has shifted its focus. While the 5.9 GHz spectrum was originally reserved for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) services and designated Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), the industry has recently moved toward C-V2X technology.

    Second, the automotive industry has pivoted from DSRC to Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology. C-V2X is more reliable and resilient than DSRC and can take advantage of cellular- based connectivity to offload non-safety-of-life communications. C-V2X has momentum both domestically and internationally, with automakers such as Ford, Audi, Daimler, BMW, and Jaguar Land Rover pursuing deployment of C-V2X equipment.

    The decision has already been met with criticism, although it remains to be seen if there will be any serious challenges to it.

  • Net Neutrality and a Biden Presidency

    Net Neutrality and a Biden Presidency

    A Biden presidency could have an enormous impact on net neutrality, one of the most contested rules in recent years.

    Net neutrality laws were implemented under President Obama. The purpose of the regulation was to ensure platforms had equal footing, regardless of size or reach. Proponents of net neutrality say it is vital to ensure internet service providers can’t choke out a competitor by charging it or its customers more for access. A perfect example is AT&T recently favoring its own HBO Max service over Netflix, by now counting HBO Max access against customers’ mobile data usage.

    Opponents of the regulation say it unnecessarily regulates the internet and stifles investment. These companies, including at one point AT&T, Comcast and Verizon, point to the long and successful history of the internet without any such regulation existing.

    Shortly after Ajit Pai was appointed FCC Chairman, the FCC rolled back the net neutrality rules, despite its broad support from Microsoft, Google, Mozilla, Netflix and others. Supporters of net neutrality unsuccessfully sued to prevent the rollback. While the courts said the FCC was within its rights, it did not allow the FCC to block individual states from implementing their own net neutrality rules, as some have done.

    Throughout the campaign, Joe Biden said very little about net neutrality, although its restoration is part of the Democratic platform. As a result, it’s a safe bet we haven’t heard the last of net neutrality on a national scale.

  • T-Mobile Inherits Sprint’s Spectrum…And Its Fines

    T-Mobile Inherits Sprint’s Spectrum…And Its Fines

    T-Mobile and the Federal Communications Commission have reached a $200 million agreement over Sprint’s Lifeline abuses.

    T-Mobile merged with Sprint and quickly rose to the second-largest carrier in the US. One of T-Mobile’s biggest motivations for the merger was to gain access to Sprint’s wealth of mid-band spectrum, ideal for 5G deployment. It appears T-Mobile also got stuck with Sprint’s legal issues as well.

    An Enforcement Bureau investigation determined that Sprint “was claiming monthly subsidies for serving approximately 885,000 Lifeline subscribers even though those subscribers were not using the service, in potential violation of the Commission’s ‘non-usage’ rule.” Lifeline is a program designed to help low-income families afford phone and broadband service.

    Sprint had previously agreed to pay $200 million and enter a compliance program to ensure there were no future issues.

    “Lifeline is key to our commitment to bringing digital opportunity to low-income Americans, and it is especially critical that we make the best use of taxpayer dollars for this vital program,” said Chairman Ajit Pai. “I’m pleased that we were able to resolve this investigation in a manner that sends a strong message about the importance of complying with rules designed to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program. In addition to the great work of our Enforcement Bureau team, I would like to thank the Oregon Public Utility Commission for its efforts in this case. States play an important role in helping low-income consumers get access to affordable communications through Lifeline and making sure the program is run efficiently.”

  • FCC Established 5G Fund for Rural America to Speed 5G Deployment

    FCC Established 5G Fund for Rural America to Speed 5G Deployment

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established the 5G Fund for Rural America in a bid to close the digital divide.

    Because of the sprawling nature of the US and its large geographic footprint, there is a long-recognized digital divide between urban areas and rural communities. While urban areas and cities often have access to multiple types of high-speed broadband, rural communities have few—or in some cases no—choices available.

    The FCC is working to close that divide with a $9 billion fund aimed at improving 5G access.

    The Federal Communications Commission today adopted rules creating the 5G Fund for Rural America, which will distribute up to $9 billion over the next decade to bring 5G wireless broadband connectivity to rural America. 5G represents the latest advance in mobile wireless technology, promising increased speeds, reduced latency, and better security than 4G LTE networks.

    Carriers, especially T-Mobile and Verizon, have been deploying 5G home broadband in an effort to help cover these areas. T-Mobile, in particular, rapidly expanded its home 5G internet in the wake of AT&T’s announcement it was phasing out its DSL service, a move likely to widen the digital divide even more.

  • Verizon Purchasing Kentucky-Based Bluegrass Cellular

    Verizon Purchasing Kentucky-Based Bluegrass Cellular

    Verizon has announced its intention to purchase Bluegrass Cellular, the oldest wireless carrier in Kentucky.

    Bluegrass Cellular serves rural areas in central Kentucky, and has approximately 210,000 subscribers in 34 counties. The acquisition of Bluegrass Cellular will help Verizon improve its coverage in the state.

    In many rural areas, Verizon has licensing agreements with local and regional carriers. In some areas, as a result of the licensing fees, Verizon has ended those agreements, leaving their own customers stranded. It appears Verizon is choose a different route with central Kentucky.

    “We are excited to acquire certain assets of Bluegrass Cellular and expand our footprint in Kentucky,” said Ronan Dunne, Executive Vice President and Group CEO, Verizon Consumer Group. “We look forward to welcoming Bluegrass customers and employees into the Verizon family and providing them with reliable wireless service alongside a best-in-class customer experience.”

    “We launched the first wireless company in central Kentucky 29 years ago,” said Ron Smith, President of Bluegrass Cellular. “We’ve always known that our customers were the most important part of our business, and we pride ourselves on playing an important role in connecting our community. I’m confident that Verizon will continue to be the same good neighbor that we’ve been and will provide crucial and reliable wireless connectivity to our rural communities.”

    The deal is subject to FCC approval. If it goes through, however, Bluegrass Cellular customers will not need to take any further action. Verizon will inform customers at a later date of what services are available to them.

  • T-Mobile Adds Mid-Band 5G In Over 80 Cities; Verizon Calls ‘Foul’

    T-Mobile Adds Mid-Band 5G In Over 80 Cities; Verizon Calls ‘Foul’

    T-Mobile has rolled out high-speed, mid-band 5G in over 80 cities as it continues to utilize the spectrum it acquired with Sprint.

    Mid-band 5G is widely considered to be the sweet spot for 5G spectrum. It provides faster performance than T-Mobile’s low-band nationwide 5G network, reaching speeds up to 1 Gbps. At the same time, it offers better range and penetration than high-band 5G, which requires repeaters and base stations every couple of hundred meters.

    One of the driving factors in T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint was the wealth of mid-band, 2.5 GHz spectrum Sprint had. Since the acquisition was completed, T-Mobile has been integrating the spectrum as fast as possible, with today’s news being the biggest gain yet.

    “T-Mobile has the competition in the rear-view mirror on 5G, and they’re only getting farther behind. While the other guys are playing catch-up, we’ve had nationwide 5G since last year, and we’re now adding faster speeds across the country with mid-band 5G,” said Neville Ray, President of Technology at T-Mobile. “This is our 5G strategy in action. Mid-band is the 5G spectrum, and T-Mobile has more of it than anyone. We have nearly twice as much low and mid-band spectrum as AT&T and nearly triple that of Verizon. And that means T-Mobile is the only one capable of making the world’s best 5G network a reality.”

    At this pace, T-Mobile’s competitors will be playing catch-up for some time. This is likely why Verizon has recently appealed to the FCC to prevent T-Mobile from gaining access to additional 600 MHz spectrum. Never mind the fact that Verizon chose not to bid on any 600 MHz spectrum when it was up for auction, believing they didn’t need the additional spectrum.

    Suddenly Verizon is changing its tune:

    “As shown above, it is T-Mobile that has the most substantial total low- and mid-band spectrum holdings of any provider at the national level,” Verizon stated in its appeal.

    Verizon goes on to quote T-Mobile’s Neville Ray on the status of the company’s advantage:

    “T-Mobile’s President of Technology, Neville Ray, recently boasted that, even before these arrangements take effect, T-Mobile’s low- and mid-band spectrum holdings give it such a ‘material advantage’ in the marketplace that its ‘competition doesn’t have a path to match [it] for some time.’ Indeed, Mr. Ray claimed that T-Mobile has a ‘2x’ or ‘3x multiple’ in the ‘mid- and low-bands’ over AT&T and Verizon.”

    It appears Verizon may now be regretting its decision to not purchase more spectrum when it had the opportunity.