FCC clears AT&T’s $1B spectrum purchase from UScellular

The US Federal Communications Commission has approved AT&T’s $1 billion purchase of spectrum assets from UScellular, days after AT&T agreed to end its diversity, equity and inclusion programmes in line with conditions set under President Donald Trump’s administration. The FCC said the extra airwaves should improve AT&T’s network coverage, capacity and performance, and judged the risk of competitive harm to be low.

AT&T is acquiring 1,250 million MHz-POPs of 3.45GHz spectrum and 331 million MHz-POPs of 700MHz B/C block spectrum, which the operator says will boost 5G capacity in more than 100 markets. The Rural Wireless Association criticised the decision, arguing it feeds consolidation, weakens competition, and will ultimately mean higher prices and tougher roaming conditions for customers.