FCC opens door to 4G for T-Mobile and more

The FCC on Friday said it would start the process to once again auction use of a part of the 700MHz wireless spectrum. A notice of inquiry is planned for as soon as the early summer that would open up the D-block frequencies that failed to sell last year. Once ready, the auction could start by early- to mid-2011, FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security chief Jamie Barnett said.

Officials haven't insisted on a particular path for the extra space, but they noted that it was intended for commercial use and that it would likely play a role in the hoped for national public safety network that was outlined in the National Broadband Plan on Monday.

The auction is likely to help cellular carriers further build out their networks and may especially help T-Mobile. AT&T and Verizon have already bought out large portions of the 700MHz space for their future 4G services, but T-Mobile as a comparatively small carrier has had relatively little access to spectrum. It already has 4G on the table but could use the frequency to not only expand coverage but share the same frequencies and support similar phones.

T-Mobile has already said it hopes to get an iPhone deal as soon as the end of the year but, with non-standard 3G, may have a difficult time persuading Apple to build a separate phone to support its network. A switch to 4G is poised to ameliorate this but may prove difficult if T-Mobile once again can't share the same network or guarantee good coverage.

AT&T and Verizon largely passed on the D-block when the FCC first tried to auction it in 2008, but they too may jump in as the reserve price and other requirements have been softened to address complaints.

By Electronista Staff