Official Tmobile-Sprint merger discussion thread

[dkyeager]

T-Mobile Auction 108 long form details (only the public versions). Mainly 2024 Selections from ULS application file number: 0001565449 (link at bottom). 

 

u/trip already covered the 2024 area code and exchange numbering forecast requests.

 

T-Mobile minor update to spectrum amendment filed on 2/1/2024:

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=183064725&attachmentKey=21917387&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

AT&T reply to amendment letter filed on 1/12/2024:

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=85494399&attachmentKey=21908803&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

Amended and Restated Spectrum File Holdings from November 2023 filed on 1/3/24:

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp;ATTACHMENTS=WD-BMJpvwcdgbeFjlg3s4tsSOxgQItDGmXRY2J1rd2ENVhWzVuO3!-1415796925!NONE?applType=search&fileKey=380856087&attachmentKey=21903363&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

Exhibit G filed on 4/17/2023:

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=1873813429&attachmentKey=21731266&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

Exhibit D Agreements and Other instruments filed on 9/15/2022:

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=1687150984&attachmentKey=21581040&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

Incoming E-mail:

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=1599560776&attachmentKey=21650881&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

Sometimes confusing situations are best understood from the beginning:

AT&T Petition to deny T-Mobile's long form application filed on 11/7/2022:

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=183064725&attachmentKey=21917387&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

Opposition of T-Mobile to AT&T's Petition to Deny filed on 11/14/2022:

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=1147240550&attachmentKey=21628501&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

There is also a tab for agreements that list T-Mobile's 1,718 agreement titles on 2.5 spectrum.

 

Look here for full ULS 0001565449 details:

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/ApplicationSearch/applAdmin.jsp?applID=14456695#attachments

 

 

[though]

2 hours ago, dkyeager said:

T-Mobile Auction 108 long form details (only the public versions). Mainly 2024 Selections from ULS application file number: 0001565449 (link at bottom). 

 

u/trip already covered the 2024 area code and exchange numbering forecast requests.

Cliffs? LOL

[Paynefanbro]

1 hour ago, though said:

Cliffs? LOL

Not much has changed. AT&T is still trying to convince the FCC to not grant T-Mobile the licenses they won, especially in areas where T-Mobile would have significantly more spectrum than their competition. The latest reply is focusing on Hawaii since T-Mobile would have ~190MHz of n41 post assignment while no C-band spectrum was auctioned in Hawaii so AT&T and Verizon will pretty much not be able to compete on speed or capacity.

I still think it's stupid that AT&T is attempting to stop T-Mobile from getting spectrum it won fairly just because they didn't have foresight. They spent so much time and money attempting to become a media conglomerate that by the time they realized they were failing and that they needed to double down on telecomm, T-Mobile surpassed them.

[dkyeager]

https://rootmetrics.com/en-US/rootscore/map/state/hawaii/2023/2H

T-Mobile is a distant third

Same with nationwide:

https://rootmetrics.com/en-US/content/us-state-of-the-mobile-union-2h-2023

Now 5g is where T-Mobile shines:

https://rootmetrics.com/en-US/content/US-state-of-5G-2H-2023

[dkyeager]

https://www.lightreading.com/5g/is-t-mobile-facing-static-over-its-latest-5g-spectrum-purchase-#close-modal

Let's add some facts to this:  https://www.lightreading.com/5g/5g-spectrum-auction-maps-winners-and-big-spenders-auction-110-of-3-45-3-55ghz

On a percentage basis, AT&T would roughly have a similar dominance with low band. 

Hard to justify altering competitive auction results. Much easier in terms of piecemeal spectrum sales by the likes of High Street (US Cellular) and possibly Dish (Boost Mobile) along with many regional carriers that may choose to exit.

[ericdabbs]

Does anyone have insight as to when Tmobile will start deploying radio equipment with C-band and CBRS support?  Hopefully their 200 MHz of C-band spectrum is freed up by now.

[dkyeager]

8 hours ago, ericdabbs said:

Does anyone have insight as to when Tmobile will start deploying radio equipment with C-band and CBRS support?  Hopefully their 200 MHz of C-band spectrum is freed up by now.

Iirc by the end of this year. Mentioned in a quarterly report I think.

[schmidtj]

T-Mobile Has Delayed Their 2G Network Shutdown...Again

[CrackedLCD]

I've always said AT&T's wireless division only got as big as they are by consolidation and litigation, never by innovation.  Those stories about them fighting T-Mobile only strengthen my bias against them.

[schmidtj]

T-Mobile Achieves Record-Breaking Uplink Speeds with Another 5G First

345 Mbs

[schmidtj]

T-Mobile Makes an Offer to Expedite 2.5 GHz Spectrum Turnover

T-Mobile is Still Waiting to Get Valuable Wireless Spectrum, and Has Even Offered to Bargain For It

Is this new news?

J

[dkyeager]

16 minutes ago, schmidtj said:

T-Mobile Makes an Offer to Expedite 2.5 GHz Spectrum Turnover

T-Mobile is Still Waiting to Get Valuable Wireless Spectrum, and Has Even Offered to Bargain For It

Is this new news?

J

 

[schmidtj]

New Third-Party Report Ranks T-Mobile Fastest in North America with the Best Video Experience in the U.S.

[schmidtj]

T-Mobile wins more 5G spectrum over AT&T's objections

So now it's official?

[PedroDaGr8]

6 hours ago, schmidtj said:

T-Mobile wins more 5G spectrum over AT&T's objections

So now it's official?

Yep, the FCC released its ruling yesterday

[JonnygATL]

9 hours ago, PedroDaGr8 said:

Yep, the FCC released its ruling yesterday

Flippin sweet.  

[dkyeager]

22 hours ago, schmidtj said:

T-Mobile wins more 5G spectrum over AT&T's objections

So now it's official?

 

[RedSpark]

https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/dish-says-theres-zero-chance-it-will-buy-t-mobiles-800-mhz-spectrum

Dish is throwing in the towel on its agreement to purchase all of T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses for $3.59 billion. In an SEC filing, Dish parent company EchoStar revealed that it is unable to get the financing necessary to pay T-Mobile for the 800 MHz spectrum licenses by the April 1 deadline. 

So much for that....

[clbowens]

21 minutes ago, RedSpark said:

https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/dish-says-theres-zero-chance-it-will-buy-t-mobiles-800-mhz-spectrum

Dish is throwing in the towel on its agreement to purchase all of T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses for $3.59 billion. In an SEC filing, Dish parent company EchoStar revealed that it is unable to get the financing necessary to pay T-Mobile for the 800 MHz spectrum licenses by the April 1 deadline. 

So much for that....

So, now T-Mobile has to sell it to someone else, right?

[Paynefanbro]

5 minutes ago, clbowens said:

So, now T-Mobile has to sell it to someone else, right?

Technically they have to *attempt* to sell it but they aren't obligated to take any offer less than the $3.5 billion purchase price that Dish agreed to. Meaning if no one offers at least that much for the spectrum T-Mobile gets to keep it.

I'm doubtful that T-Mobile is going to keep it though. Burns & McDonnell already said last year that they wanted the spectrum for private wireless networks. https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/dish-isnt-only-one-interested-t-mobiles-800-mhz-spectrum

[radem]

7 minutes ago, clbowens said:

So, now T-Mobile has to sell it to someone else, right?

I wish they could get the FCC to agree to allow them to keep it if they run old technologies such as analog, GSM, 2G, and 3G with open access for a small fee from all providers on it for compatibility with old IOT devices.  Although if those old devices are not configured to use 800mhz, it won't help.

[RedSpark]

1 hour ago, Paynefanbro said:

Technically they have to *attempt* to sell it but they aren't obligated to take any offer less than the $3.5 billion purchase price that Dish agreed to. Meaning if no one offers at least that much for the spectrum T-Mobile gets to keep it.

I'm doubtful that T-Mobile is going to keep it though. Burns & McDonnell already said last year that they wanted the spectrum for private wireless networks. https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/dish-isnt-only-one-interested-t-mobiles-800-mhz-spectrum

Is T-Mobile still actively using it now?

If T-Mobile keeps it, could it use it for 5G or would it be relegated to LTE?

[Paynefanbro]

23 minutes ago, RedSpark said:

Is T-Mobile still actively using it now?

If T-Mobile keeps it, could it use it for 5G or would it be relegated to LTE?

Nope they're not using it but it could be used for n26 or Band 26. I still don't think T-Mobile will keep it though. The radios that they have deployed don't so far don't support Band 26 or n26. Really only Dish is prepared to deploy n26 immediately. T-Mobile might just decide to hold onto the spectrum if no one buys it and then sell it to Dish years down the line.

I still think the best deal for T-Mobile would be a swap where T-Mobile would give Dish a steep discount on the spectrum in exchange for a single 600MHz block in key markets.

For example T-Mobile's lease of Dish's 600MHz D-block in NYC expires pretty soon and T-Mobile will fall back down to 15MHz n71 here without it. I have no doubt that this has already been offered to Dish but Dish is rightfully wary about handing their competitor an advantage like that. Realistically almost any swap would end with T-Mobile benefitting more than Dish. Dish doesn't *need* T-Mobile's 800MHz but it would've been a nice-to-have for the little gains in capacity.

[jreuschl]

https://www.reddit.com/r/cellmapper/comments/1b3w2l9/tmobile_auction_108_light_up_has_begun_boosted_to/

Some think they are already putting it to use.

[tremendousjohnson]

18 hours ago, Paynefanbro said:

Nope they're not using it but it could be used for n26 or Band 26. I still don't think T-Mobile will keep it though. The radios that they have deployed don't so far don't support Band 26 or n26. Really only Dish is prepared to deploy n26 immediately. T-Mobile might just decide to hold onto the spectrum if no one buys it and then sell it to Dish years down the line.

I still think the best deal for T-Mobile would be a swap where T-Mobile would give Dish a steep discount on the spectrum in exchange for a single 600MHz block in key markets.

For example T-Mobile's lease of Dish's 600MHz D-block in NYC expires pretty soon and T-Mobile will fall back down to 15MHz n71 here without it. I have no doubt that this has already been offered to Dish but Dish is rightfully wary about handing their competitor an advantage like that. Realistically almost any swap would end with T-Mobile benefitting more than Dish. Dish doesn't *need* T-Mobile's 800MHz but it would've been a nice-to-have for the little gains in capacity.

What if Dish goes out of business?  Looks like they're circling the bowl, are out of ideas, and can barely pay the payments on their debt, let alone buy anything additional or invest in capex.  https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/echostar-chairman-charlie-ergen-skips-dish-network-parents-quarterly-earnings-call-as-investor-angst-about-debt-keeps-mounting/ar-BB1jbB35 That whole Dish part of the merger was sketchy from the beginning, because it depended on trusting Charlie Ergen.  (PSA: Don't ever trust Charlie Ergen.  🙂 )

If that happens, it'll be interesting to see what a bankruptcy would look like.  Who gets Dish's spectrum?  This whole deal was structured to make sure ATT, Tmobile and Verzion don't get bigger.  Grab your popcorn.....