US: AT&T flip-flops on spectrum auction boycott

Leading wireless operator AT&T is reportedly backtracking on comments made last week that it would refuse to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s upcoming spectrum auction should the regulator proceed with proposed rules that would cap how much spectrum AT&T could acquire.

According to reports, the company released a statement saying that its “desire to participate in this auction and our hope for a successful auction is unchanged.” AT&T had previously threatened to not participate as the FCC is looking to impose spectrum acquisition caps on AT&T and Verizon, the industry leaders, and reserve spectrum for smaller bidders.

The regulator, however, did not take AT&T’s initial threat seriously, reports say. FCC head Tom Wheeler told reporters he had “a hard time envisioning this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this kind of beachfront spectrum being something that people throw up their hands and walk away from.”

The so-called beachfront spectrum is in high-demand for its quality strength. The spectrum is set for sometime next year.

Full content: Latin Post

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