Is AT&T a spectrum Hog?

[n2rj]

Is AT&T a wireless spectrum hog? | Signal Strength - CNET News

AT&T holds more spectrum than the other carriers, yet is complaining loudest about a spectrum crunch and wants to buy T-Mobile.

What's going on here?

 

[Fringe Reception]

Quoted from the article:

Spectrum is the 'lifeblood' of the wireless industry

There's no question that more spectrum means that wireless operators can serve more customers with faster, richer Internet services.
In a recent speech to strum up support for incentive spectrum auctions that would bring more wireless spectrum to the market, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski called it the "lifeblood of the wireless ecosystem."
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To paraphrase and to improve on his quote; there's also no question that using existing spectrum holdings more efficiently can serve more customers with faster, richer Internet services.

I'd like to hear more about the life forms this man 'sees' in his head: is Genachowski saying Incentive Spectrum Auctions are living things? By what means do these potential living auctions survive in his "Ecosystem"? Photosynthesis? Osmosis?

 

[n2rj]

"Ecosystem" is a well established term, quite honestly. It means basically a company's product line, services and compatible products and services that work with it. For example, the Apple iOS ecosystem means all of the iPhones, iPods, iPads, the app store and all the content that works with it.

I agree that there can be more to use existing spectrum more efficiently. But before we even get to that, we have companies like AT&T holding on to spectrum that they don't use while complaining that there isn't enough for them. The problem is that the FCC is more than a willing accomplice to them in aiding them to pull the rug from under broadcast TV and anyone else that stands in their way.

 

[Fringe Reception]

Unfortunately the word 'ecosystem' seems to have been mutated to mean anything ('good') working together when ecology or ecological systems are not even at play. To me, it makes as much sense as my saying I changed the radiator hoses on my car and the ecosystem under the hood is working together. Gotta go - my doorbell rang: the signaling ecosystem is working.

 

[dave73]

Verizon is the other spectrum hog. They hold the most in the 700 band, & will sit on some of that in rural areas. AT&T would end up with most of the AWS spectrum if they're successful at acquiring T-Mobile USA. Any additional spectrum will end up in AT&T & Verizon's hands, & most of it not being used.