C Spire Alleges that AT&T Tried to Strangle It
May 31, 2012, 3:55 PM by Eric M. Zeman
C Spire Wireless has filed a federal anti-trust lawsuit against AT&T, claiming that the larger wireless network operator conspired with Qualcomm and Motorola to ruin its business. C Spire believes AT&T worked with the 3GPP to create the special Band Class 17, in which AT&T operates its LTE network. Though AT&T, C Spire, and others all use 700MHz spectrum for their LTE networks, devices cannot roam freely between the different band classes. C Spire uses Band Class 12 and Verizon Wireless uses Band Class 13. AT&T's Band Class 17 is incompatible with C Spire's spectrum. C Spire says Qualcomm threatened to withhold compatible devices if it moved forward with a petition asking the FCC enforce 700 MHz device compatibility. "This anti-competitive scheme has prevented C Spire Wireless from utilizing $192 million worth of Lower 700 MHz A block spectrum licenses acquired from the FCC at auction in 2008. We have asked the Court to stop this gross abuse of market power and to undo the harm AT&T and its co-conspirators have caused to consumers and businesses in our service areas. C Spire is also seeking damages for the harm suffered as a result of the defendants' conduct." AT&T hasn't responded publicly to the lawsuit.
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Comments
| Subject | Author | Date |
| Why is the wireless industry an exception? | wifi_guy |
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| C Spire needs to be strangled | rich251 |
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| C Spire SHOULD hold Qualcomm responsible. | Jarahawk |
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| Good job C Spire!!!! | crackberry |
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