AT&T’s recent request to the FCC has raised eyebrows, particularly in light of its past criticisms of T-Mobile. In 2022, AT&T argued that T-Mobile’s pursuit of additional 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum posed a significant threat to the long-term competitiveness of mobile broadband services. This spectrum was pivotal for T-Mobile, as it acquired Sprint for $26 billion largely for its 2.5GHz holdings. Unlike AT&T and Verizon, which initiated their 5G rollout using high-frequency mmWave spectrum, T-Mobile’s strategy to start with mid-band spectrum gave it a competitive edge, eventually positioning it as the leading 5G provider in the United States.
AT&T now finds itself in a position it once critiqued. The company is asking the FCC for a waiver to temporarily bypass the agency’s cap on 3.45GHz spectrum, part of the C-band. This request is particularly striking, given that AT&T previously urged the FCC to restrict T-Mobile from expanding its 2.5GHz spectrum holdings. In its filing, AT&T claims that the waiver would serve the public interest, noting that T-Mobile has assigned away its 3.45GHz spectrum and that other major players like Verizon and Echostar have also shown little interest in this frequency.
AT&T’s interest in the 3.45GHz licenses, valued at approximately $262 million, reflects its strategic shift in focus. The FCC had previously ruled against AT&T, stating that its allegations lacked sufficient evidence to demonstrate competitive harm. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the FCC will grant AT&T’s request for a waiver, marking another chapter in the ongoing competitive landscape of the telecommunications industry.