AT&T Pumps Its Fist Looking for Some Jersey Shore Spectrum

There may be some greed sprinkled in there but, I think its more of a backup plan, in the event that their acquisition of TMO doesn't go through. It's the, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket, mentality". Its not to say that they wouldn't want additional spectrum, even if the TMO deal goes through but, what carrier wouldn't if they were in that situation. Don't let the lack of public interest of acquiring more spectrum fool you. Any of these carriers would love to be in that position.

Fine by me, I live in Toms River, I hope they get it.

Versed probably called you a "troll" cause your being honest. And he is more corporate minded than consumer minded.

Jay,
How so? Getting LTE where I live is consumer minded, complaining about it, is fanboism.

Am I, tell me how so? Corporations are in it for the buck, the one's you use, or don't use. All the same. People complain about AT&T's spotty performance, when they do something about it, then they're greedy.

I found your message to be nothing more then troll, and called you out on it.

You probably think --ANYTHING-- negative said about a carrier is being as you say a "troll"

Not really. But in this case, yes.

if you say so Versed I just posted my thoughts and yes they are greedy because they can use what they already have instead of buying up more and more. I say AT&T should improve on what they already have then maybe look into more in the future instead of ignoring the issue and buy up something else. Call my comments troll or whatever other word you can come up with but I still stand by what I said. There is nothing to be "called out on".

Fine, just be fair, call them all out on not building out on their system. To be honest only one I see doing anything positive is VZW and their LTE deployment. And I don't see people complaining they hogged all that spectrum. And nor should they. I see Sprint/Clearwire not doing anything in the past 10 months with Wimax, sure I read about LTE deals and stuff. But nothing.

I happen to live in that area which is mentioned. If I'm STILL with AT&T it means I will be offered a better LTE experience. And honestly thats all I care about.

IF any other major or minor carrier for that matter were to buy the lower 700 in this area, fine. I won't cry about it. Or call them greedy, nor tell them what to do with their business.

My only problem with your no one complaining about Verizon and their spectrum holdings argument is the fact that Verizon actually uses their spectrum. AT&T controls more spectrum than any other carrier yet they just hold on to it. They more than likely have no plans to actually use this spectrum as the "improve service" line is the same thing they have said every other time they purchased spectrum that they then just left unused. They do so to keep their competitors from getting it and actually making their networks better. Their goal is to control the market, not provide better service.

If AT&T actually used any of the spectrum they own already and had a track record that didn't include throwing up Wi-Fi hotspots(so they didn't have to...
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Ashke13 said:
if you say so Versed I just posted my thoughts and yes they are greedy because they can use what they already have instead of buying up more and more. I say AT&T should improve on what they already have then maybe look into more in the future instead of ignoring the issue and buy up something else.

Ashke13, your opinion on the matter makes much sense. Here are the facts:

This transaction covers Ocean County, NJ, where AT&T already controls 20 MHz of AWS 2100+1700 MHz spectrum and 12 MHz of Lower 700 MHz spectrum. Though it has held much of that spectrum for five years, AT&T has put NONE of it to commercial use.

In this transaction, AT&T is filing to acquire 12 MHz more Lower 700 MHz...
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AJ,
I live in Ocean County, NJ and yes they have done nothing with it, nor has VZW turned on LTE here, nor has Sprint/Clear turned on Wimax here, and they both also own respectable spectrum here. I don't see posters here getting all upset over it.

As I said before, I don't care about about this or that if they turn on LTE here, I'd be happy. If AT&T wants to buy more lower half 700 mhz then fine, doubtful anyone else will use it anyhow.

I couldn't agree more. It does seem that everyone has been in an uproar, every since ATT made it know that they intend to buy TMO. No body cried about it when Sprint was considering it. On top of that, I doubt Sprint would have kept it GSM, if they had. So, that's one argument that people have been complaining about, moot. Secondly, and I've said it again and again, TMO was looking to sell anyway and it just so happens that ATT can afford it and put the offer out there. Call it greed but, it's just business. Everyone has this ethical way of thinking from a consumer stand point but, they can't look at it from a business stand point.
There are a lot of things that companies do that are or seem greedy. But, how often do people complain about i...
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T-mobile doesn't offer LTE service. They market their HSPA+ service as 4G. AT&T plans on using Tmo AWS spectrum for their own LTE services if the merger goes through.

Yes, read that, they're planning on using AWS for the upstream.

Wasn't sure about that, as I don't really keep up with TMO like that. However, I thought I read something about TMO initiating LTE in some areas recently. But, that could have been just HSPA they were talking about

Versed said:
AJ,
I live in Ocean County, NJ and yes they have done nothing with it, nor has VZW turned on LTE here, nor has Sprint/Clear turned on Wimax here, and they both also own respectable spectrum here. I don't see posters here getting all upset over it.

Versed, the reason why AT&T receives (and, in my opinion, deserves) more criticism than other carriers do for this practice is twofold:

1. AT&T sits on much spectrum for years without satisfying build out requirements and putting it into commercial use.

Sprint, on the other hand, has already met its construction requirements. For example, Ocean County is part of the NYC BTA, and Clear has deployed substantial WiMAX 2500/2600 service in th...
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AJ,
Closest WiMAX to me, is some scattering in northern Monmouth County. And I do agree, VZW will have it by me before AT&T. I'm not so sure about Sprint.

---" Yes, that is "greed." And the American public, which owns the spectrum to be acquired, as well as the spectrum that AT&T currently holds, is under no obligation to sign off on AT&T's greed."---


It is unfortunate that the more You and I follow the preceedings of this acquistion, we find that the Government's greed will overtake the American public's owned interests. AT&T has pumped large dollars into the Nation's Capitol. Large enough dollars that again, could have been spent to extend and utilize unused spectrum for their subscribers that have been waiting far too long for network results rather than trying to hoard more.

John B.

Unfortunately you are right John B the government has and can be bought for the right price look at the drug companies they own a good portion of Congress now. Greed is the base of every business deal in the world someone always trying to be at the top of the hill, some call it business but me I'm sticking with greed.