Monday, December 20, 2010

AT&T Buys Wireless Spectrum From Qualcomm

Dallas-based AT&T said this morning that it has paid $1.925 billion for a block of wireless spectrum for Qualcomm. AT&T said the new spectrum will help bolster its 4G, mobile broadband network. The new spectrum comes from spectrum currently used by Qualcomm's FLO TV mobile television network, which is being shut down in March of 2011. AT&T said the spectrum covers more than 300 million people nationwide, and includes spectrum in the Lower 700 MHz D and E block spectrum. AT&T said it intends to deploy the spectrum as a supplemental downlink, using carrier aggregation technology. Qualcomm previously offered up its mobile television network via its FLO TV subsidiary, but said earlier this year it was shutting down the service due to lack of adoption.