AT&T doubles down on EchoStar spectrum plan as T-Mobile objects

AT&T is pressing the FCC to sign off on its $23 billion plan to lease and use a large block of 800MHz spectrum from EchoStar, arguing that the deal will speed 5G deployment and improve rural coverage. In new filings, AT&T said its rollout commitments are realistic and that stricter rules could slow investment and delay service upgrades.

T-Mobile is urging regulators to either reject the proposal or attach tougher buildout and coverage obligations. It argues that AT&T’s current plan leaves room for the company to sit on the spectrum instead of putting it to use quickly, which T-Mobile claims would undercut competition and waste a scarce public resource. The FCC now has to weigh how tightly to regulate AT&T’s use of the airwaves, or whether to block the transaction altogether.