FCC Announces Pleading Cycle for T-Mobile-AT&T “Breakup Fee” License Transfer
Posted on January 27, 2012The FCC has released a Public Notice announcing the pleading cycle dates for parties filing petitions to deny the proposed transfer of AWS licenses from AT&T to T-Mobile. Also announced was the creation of a special docket for the proceeding, WT Docket No. 12-21. Following AT&T’s failed bid to takeover T-Mobile, AT&T agreed to pay a comprensive “breakup fee” to Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile’s parent company. In addition to $3 billion cash and a long-term 3G roaming deal between the carriers, AT&T also agreed to transfer to T-Mobile a significant number of AWS licenses covering 128 Cellular Market Areas, including 13 of the top 25 CMAs in the United States. The AWS licenses consist of either ten megahertz or twenty megahertz in over 500 counties nationwide. Petitions to deny the proposed transfer are due on or before Monday, February 27, 2012. Oppositions are due Thursday, March 8, 2012 and replies to oppositions are due no later than Monday, March 19, 2012.
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