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The Federal Communications Commission this week approved the transfer of spectrum from ATT to T-Mobile, which was a condition of the companies’ failed merger.

The move will provide T-Mobile with Advanced Wireless Systems (AWS) spectrum in 128 cellular markets, including 12 of the top 20, T-Mobile said in a statement.

“We applaud the FCC for acting swiftly to approve the transfer of these spectrum licenses,” said Neville Ray, chief technology officer for T-Mobile USA. “Securing this additional spectrum was a key catalyst for our plans to launch LTE in 2013 and is therefore good news for our customers.”

In February, T-Mobile announced plans to roll out its 4G LTE network next year, thanks in large part to the spectrum and money it would receive from the ATT breakup deal.

In preparation for the LTE launch, T-Mobile plans to install new equipment at 37,000 cell sites and refarm spectrum. Still, “T-Mobile continues to need more AWS spectrum to support its 4G evolution efforts and the continued growth in mobile data services,” the carrier said today.

The allocation of spectrum has been a hot-button issues for carriers and lawmakers alike in recent years. As more and more people start using data-intensive gadgets like smartphones and tablets, they cut into the available bandwidth. How best to find and dole out available spectrum, however, has been a contentious subject. Should the FCC handle it through auctions? Should the commission be able to restrict larger companies from snapping up the best spectrum? Should broadcasters sell unused spectrum to wireless carriers?

Congress recently approved a plan that would allow the FCC to auction off broadcast spectrum to wireless carriers. Today, meanwhile, the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced plans for a Federal Spectrum Working Group, which will examine how the federal government can more efficiently use the airwaves it owns.

ATT applauded the move. “The growth of the mobile Internet continues to spur phenomenal economic activity and inspire remarkable consumer benefits,” said Tim McKone, ATT executive vice president of federal relations. “Comprehensive and sound spectrum policies lie at the heart of the ability of the entire wireless ecosystem – from app developers to software providers, to device makers and service providers – to satisfy the booming demand for wireless services.”

During an earnings call this week, ATT Mobility chief Ralph de la Vega also stressed the need for more spectrum. When asked if ATT would snap up some of the spectrum Verizon is trying to sell, however, de la Vegas said it’s not “appropriate for us to speculate what would happen with the Verizon spectrum.”

Verizon said recently that it will sell some prime spectrum in the 700-MHz band provided the FCC approve its controversial $3.6 billion effort to purchase spectrum from various cable companies.

For more, see Congressman Boucher Talks Spectrum, Casts Wary Eye on FCC.

For more from Chloe, follow her on Twitter @ChloeAlbanesius.

For the top stories in tech, follow us on Twitter at @PCMag.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – ATT Inc, the No. 2 U.S. mobile service provider, has received regulatory approval for its plan to give T-Mobile USA a big chunk of spectrum as part of its break-up offering in compensation for the failure of their efforts to merge.
ATT was left with an obligation to give wireless air waves and $3 billion cash to Deutsche Telekom AG unit T-Mobile USA after ATT’s $39 billion plan to buy its smaller rival failed late last year due to strong regulatory opposition.
The Federal Communications Commission said on Wednesday that it approved of ATT’s transfer of spectrum to T-Mobile USA, the No. 4 U.S. mobile service provider.
T-Mobile USA plans to use the spectrum to help it upgrade its network for higher-speed data services. T-Mobile USA has committed to spend $4 billion on improving its network and deploying new technology in 2013.
(Reporting By Sinead Carew; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

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T-Mobile ready to announce their own Galaxy Note?

(Credit:
TmoNews)

A T-Mobile branded version of the Samsung Galaxy Note has been spied online, confirming rumors that the phone/tablet hybrid would be expanding to additional carriers.

Pictures obtained by TmoNews indicate that not only is the Galaxy Note close, but also it’s bringing dessert with it.

Screen shots show that the T-Mobile-branded SGH-T879 is running
Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich. ATT’s model, as many of you know, runs the Gingerbread version of the mobile operating system.

It’s Unclear whether the phone is equipped for the carrier’s 42Mbps HSPA+ network, though it would be wasted effort if not. I assume that T-Mobile’s version will closely resemble ATT’s edition and will include a 1.5Ghz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, and a 5-megapixel camera.

Given the production-ready phone is already in the real world, I might look for T-Mobile to announce the Galaxy Note at
CTIA in May.

April 24th, 2012, 18:00 GMT · By Cosmin Vasile

Well, wouldn’t you know it, but T-Mobile — the only nationwide AWS service provider in the US — objects to Verizon’s purchase of additional AWS spectrum. The company’s CEO, Philipp Humm, recently took his concerns to the chief of the FCC’s wireless bureau, Rick Kaplan, where he argued that Verizon’s proposal to shed Blocks A and B of the 700MHz spectrum simply wouldn’t be fair shake. According to Humm, Verizon is merely looking to offload its less desirable assets (as Blocks A and B are more prone to interference). While T-Mobile’s leader presents a valid point in that Verizon has merely squatted on its current AWS licenses, we can’t help but think that Humm would relish in the opportunity for T-Mobile to bid on these licenses. Further, if Verizon were effectively prevented from establishing a nationwide AWS network, it’d certainly reduce competition in the auction house, and therefore bring cheaper licenses to T-Mobile’s doorstep. Given that everything in question here is not corporate property, but rather a public resource, what do you think is the best way forward?

[Tower photo via Shutterstock]

T-Mobile Wants FCC to Reject Verizon AWS Spectrum Purchase
(
Page 1 of 2 )

Verizon Wireless may have some trouble closing the complex spectrum deal it has been trying to get through the FCC since last year. The deal involved an agreement by Verizon Wireless to buy unused AWS spectrum from cable companies, including Cox Communications and Comcast. In return, Verizon Wireless was proposing to offer its 700 MHz A and B bands for sale to other carriers.

Currently, Verizon Wireless uses its 700 MHz block C spectrum for LTE. However, the company said that it wanted to add AWS spectrum to that mix. Not surprisingly, there are opponents. The Rural Cellular Association and T-Mobile have both filed Petitions to Deny the Verizon Wireless application. But they’re not alone. A number of other advocacy organizations, most notably Consumers Union, have also objected to the planned Verizon Wireless spectrum buy.

Then on April 19, T-Mobile CEO Philipp Humm and his legal team met with the FCC’s Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Rick Kaplan, at T-Mobile’s headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, to explain their concerns. The meeting, described in an Ex Parte letter in the FCC’s files says that Verizon Wireless doesn’t need the AWS spectrum that the company plans to buy form the cable companies because Verizon Wireless isn’t using the AWS spectrum it already has.

“In particular, the T-Mobile Representatives discussed the fact that, unlike T-Mobile and other wireless carriers, Verizon Wireless has not used its existing AWS spectrum in any way in the six years it has held the licenses, and that the instant transactions would add even more AWS spectrum to Verizon Wireless’ unused spectrum inventory,” said T-Mobile counsel Jean Kiddoo, in a letter to the FCC.

“They noted that given this dismal track record on utilization of its current AWS spectrum, it would make no sense, and would be inconsistent with the Commission’s charge to ensure that spectrum transfers serve the public interest, to allow Verizon to acquire additional AWS licenses, especially at this time of an industry-wide spectrum crunch,” the letter said.

T-Mobile’s Tom Sugrue, senior vice president for government affairs, explained T-Mobile’s position. “Verizon’s announced plan to sell lower 700 MHz spectrum contingent on approval of its spectrum transaction with the cable companies is a tactical ploy designed to divert attention from its attempt to foreclose competitors from being able to acquire AWS spectrum—the last swath of immediately usable mobile broadband spectrum likely to be available in the near term,” Sugrue said in a prepared statement released to eWEEK.  “This proposed sale does not mitigate the competitive harms created by Verizon’s pending transaction with the cable companies that would add to its spectrum warehouse.”

Sara really loved her HTC G1 from T-Mobile, and bought the similar-ish Samsung Sidekick 4G as a replacement when its years of loyal service ended. The new phone has not been so loyal. It locks up, won’t respond to the touchscreen, and periodically wipes its memory card for no clear reason. Sure, she could back up the memory card content elsewhere, but the non-operational phone is a real problem. Now she’s on her third replacement. T-Mobile is happy to send her a replacement, but she doesn’t want a fifth phone that will inevitably have the same problems. Sara, welcome to smartphone replacement purgatory!

I’ve been a T-Mobile customer for several years now. I think five on my own, and another five when I shared an account with someone else.

Last year, I got the Samsung Sidekick 4G. It seemed close to my beloved G1, that came to a tragic end after a few years of typical use.

This is now my 4th Sidekick. Among the problems I can list, it locks up at least 4 times a day when I’m using a single application. If the phone deigns to restart on its own, the touchscreen stops working. On three separate occasions, the phone has wiped the memory card. Since I do dog rescue, I’ve lost photos of dogs who are no longer alive. The music is replaceable, the photos are not. Another neat trick is when I log on to the internet, the phone will give me constant pop-ups saying I have no internet connection, then load the webpage. Over and over.

Every time, I’ve replaced the phone with the same model, only to have the same problems repeat themselves.

Tonight, I was fed up and called T-Mobile. The customer service rep suggested I replace it with another Sidekick. I told him I didn’t want another phone that wasn’t going to work. I asked to get a phone that was on sale web only, and renew my contract. He told me that my contract wasn’t up until June of 2013, which went directly against what the last CSR told me.

I followed the cutesy and helpful “Care and Feeding of your Android” pdf they sent me (cleared my call logs, texts, and internet history frequently) to no avail.

I asked to speak to a supervisor, and the CSR said that the supervisor was on another call, but would call me back within the hour. I told him that the last time someone from T-Mobile had promised me a call back, it never happened, so it was super important that they call me back.

It’s been nearly two hours now, and still no call. It seems that T-Mobile would rather gain my $200 cancellation fee than renew my contract that would gain them $3,000 over two years.

I’m beyond frustrated with this company, and will be switching as soon as possible.

We’ve heard that T-Mobile is especially receptive to executive e-mail carpet bombs, and recommend that method for getting in touch with them. Maybe someone higher up the food chain will see that the cost of a working phone is high, but not as high as losing the $3,000 Sara will pay them over the next few years of her contract.

Call Center Operations Featured Article

About a month ago, TMCnet reported that T-Mobile (News – Alert) would be cutting 1,900 jobs in order to combine its call center operations and then hiring back around 1,400 of those employees who were caught under the chopping block eventually.

With plans to reduce its call center facilities from 24 to 17 by the end of June, the company will also be “restructuring and optimizing operations in other parts of the business, which will take place by the end of second quarter of 2012,” the company commented in a statement.

This plan of action has brought many people together for one purpose: to protest the layoffs at the company’s Bellevue, Wash. Facility. One protestor shouted, “They’re closing call centers in the U.S., and keeping call centers open overseas,” while, Roland Ellis, who works for the company’s Nashville center commented, “You don’t take 3,000 hard working Americans and give them the boot,” said Ellis. “My job is secure for the moment, but put that in quotations.”

Although currently Ellis is not one of the unlucky few who will be forced to hit the bricks, he revealed that if he was in their position, he would hope they would be doing the same to allow him to keep his job.

In fact, dozens of people paid a special visit to T-Mobile headquarters where they demanded to meet with the company’s top executive, but instead these disgruntled former employees couldn’t even enter the front door.

Anna Friedges, a T-Mobile spokesperson, sent this statement to King 5, a news station in regards to the recently firing spree: “These allegations are wrong. T-Mobile is proud of its job-creation record and its careful compliance with local incentive programs. Our recent decisions to consolidate call center operations to 17 facilities included an invitation for affected call-center representatives to transfer to our remaining call centers, with relocation benefits, where we are increasing staffing by 1,400 positions to continue fulfilling our customer-service needs. We have tremendous customer service representatives who are highly skilled and dedicated to serving our customers. We hope as many as possible pursue transfers and stay with T-Mobile.”

She added, “The decision to consolidate our US call center operations does not reflect a change in our approach to serving customers. Rather, it’s an outcome of a smaller customer base and low call volumes and a difficult, but necessary measure to optimize our operations so that we can focus on growing our business.”

It doesn’t look as if the giant company is truly valuing what its once on the books workforce has to say, but hopefully they will stick to their word by rehiring these hardworking individuals once their call center operations have been successfully consolidated.

Edited by Amanda Ciccatelli

April 23rd, 2012, 14:30 GMT · By Cosmin Vasile

By Joseph Palenchar — TWICE, 4/23/2012

BELLEVUE, WASH. – T-Mobile is launching the first in
a new series of ads that will air over the next few months
leading up to the carrier’s brand relaunch in the fall.

The new ad features Carly, the carrier’s current brand ambassador,
who shuns her magenta polka-dot summer dress
for a leather motorcycle outfit and a 1000 cc Ducati superbike.
The “Alter Ego” ad symbolizes the speed of the carrier’s
4G network and is a metaphor for T-Mobile’s stance in
challenging the status quo and taking bold steps, said Peter
DeLuca, brand, advertising and communications senior VP.

The spot will broadcast on the ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX
and CW networks on shows such as “Private Practice,”
“The Apprentice,” “Criminal Minds” and “Vampire Diaries.”
The ad premieres April 17 on the CW network’s
“90210” and on ABC’s “Private Practice.”

The spot will also appear on the web across digital video
destinations such as Hulu, YouTube and Break. In addition,
the online video will run across the websites of NBA,
ABC, FOX, CBS, Comedy Channel and MTV to capture
cross-platform viewing, a spokesperson said.

“With this new campaign,” the spokesperson added,
“we’re telling the market, loud and clear, that T-Mobile
is an aggressive competitor — that we will win and retain
customers by delivering affordable, technically innovative
4G services. We’ll continue to provide consumers more
choice and flexibility in the way they purchase wireless,
and we’ll compete aggressively to win and retain customers
as a challenger brand in the market.”

The first ad will coincide with the launch of T-Mobile’s
Test Drive site, which lets consumers compare T-Mobile’s
4G speeds to other carriers’ speeds.

Last month, after T-Mobile and ATT cancelled their
planned merger because of federal government opposition, T-Mobile announced plans to improve its network
and reinvigorate its sales and marketing efforts
could help reverse subscriber losses. The carrier
said that it would put to good use the AWSband
spectrum and $3 billion in cash that ATT
is handing over as a breakup fee.

With the additional money, T-Mobile said it
would ramp up advertising spending, more aggressively
pursue MVNO partners, continue to
remodel its retail stores, expand distribution
and improve network performance.

The efforts are part of what T-Mobile called
a “reinvigorated challenger strategy focused on
making amazing 4G services affordable.”

As part of the network transformation, the
fourth-ranked carrier by subscribers plans to
install new equipment at 37,000 cell sites, add
4G LTE in 2013 to the AWS band in which it
currently offers 4G HSPA+ service, and make
room for LTE in the AWS band by deploying
4G HSPA+ technology in the 1900MHz band,
where it currently offers 2G service.

The network upgrade will cost $4 billion over
two years, and T-Mobile will put $1.4 billion of the
$3 billion it is getting from ATT toward that effort.

Despite the LTE upgrade, T-Mobile has
only enough spectrum to deploy LTE in what
it said would be “the vast majority” of the top
50 markets.

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