T-Mobile wants “holistic” approach to C-band
November 20, 2018
By Chris Forrester
T-Mobile in the US is lobbying the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to think again in how the FCC approaches the potential restructuring of C-band spectrum over the US in order to push adoption of 5G technology.
T-Mobile says the FCC should take a “holistic” approach to how a market-based sell-off should be handled. In essence, its proposal would see satellite operators clear about twice the amount of spectrum currently envisaged but would see the economic benefits split with the US Treasury.
T-Mobile’s aggressive approach is not likely to go down well with the C-Band Alliance (of Intelsat, SES, Eutelsat and Telesat).
Sami Kassab, analyst at investment bank Exane/BNPP says the T-Mobile suggestion is “likely to get a pushback from satellite operators, broadcasters and cable operators, in our view.”