Gizmodo
AT&T's agreed to drop $2.5 billion into the pockets of Aloha Partners for a sizable chunk of the 700Mhz spectrum—12 megahertz worth covering 196 million people in 281 markets. It's the same frequency that the FCC will be auctioning off licenses to in just a couple of months. AT&T says they haven't decided what they're going to do with it yet—but honestly it seems like they'd have an idea of what they wanted to do with something they paid $2.5 billion for.
Mobile video or expanded data services seem most likely. Regardless, they'll have time if they're truly undecided since they won't get their hands on it until at least 2008, when the deal closes, with some of it tied up until 2009. It'll be interesting to see how aggressively they bid in the upcoming auction, considering the coin they just dropped—is this move a way to sidestep the uncertainties of the auction (which Verizon clearly plans on diving into, hard) or are they planning on scooping up even more? We'll know soon enough. [Yahoo!/AP]
Comments
Simple, they're gonna sell it for 3 billion. Whoosh
Simply sitting on the spectrum is a good way to prevent someone else from entering the telecom market. Think of this as a 2.5Bn defense against competition.
Sounds like a Plan B to stay clear of a bidding war with Google, Apple, or Verizon.
Didn't Google suggest to the FCC they would be willing to spend upwards of $4.5 billion if certain conditions were met in the auction?
Sounds like AT&T is paying less for more.
Honestly, I can't wait until Apple TV announces IPTV support for U-Verse and FiOs.
I heard from a insider the plan on re-introducing Morse code for the consumer on this spectrum. They think it will be a hit from the " ... - .- .-. -"
@yoshi: Why would Apple support anything they don't supply themselves?
They will open it up to the public to use for free as a gesture of good will. I mean, come on .. It is AT&T. Surely they will do something benevolent with it.
@QBRAD
You're right. Apple should have just created their own wireless network instead of partnering with AT&T Wireless. That way they can offer the iPhone over their own nationwide wireless network!?!
I personally have AT&T U-Verse (IPTV) and I can say, with confidence, the cable companies are in big trouble. Also, I believe Engadget reported that AT&T and Apple were discussing this partnership.
[www.engadget.com]
@yoshi:
Let's not forget what software runs AT&T's U-Verse and Verizon's FiOS (IPTV).
It's Microsoft IPTV software. In fact, their software is running in every settop box.
Also, I can't wait for XBOX 360 IPTV support in the fall update. :)
I like to talk to myself alot. :)
ITs simple, they are detarded.
They are going to put it down their pants.
1. Own the airwaves.
2. ???
3. Profit!
I believe U-Verse (IPTV) is on its own seperate network.
If Apple TV could implement the protocol, they could work a deal with AT&T and Verizon to use this bandwidth.
It sounds like they are spending a bit of my $1945 "Roaming Data" bill from last month. (For an idea, it was $550 for 36 Meg for 1 of the days) There customer service said it was free for internet given I was just 20 miles over the border in Canada, but I should have known better from all the crazy iPhone bills I read about here. :o
You should have known better Jeff. Sounds like roaming for porn in Canada costs alot of money.
Thanks for letting us all know. :)
12 MHz isn't Jack or sh!t for bandwidth and Jack just left town.
36 Meg for 1 day of pr0n must be some really low quality sh*t
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