May 6, 2016–The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released a memorandum opinion and order today approving the transfer of one lower 700 megahertz band A-block license from T-Mobile US, Inc., to The Alaska Wireless Network LLC (AWN). The license covers 29 boroughs/Census areas in four local markets that compromise the entire state of Alaska.

The transaction triggered the agency’s “enhanced factor” review because AWN already held more than one-third of sub-1 gigahertz spectrum in one Census area.

“After carefully evaluating the likely competitive effects of AWN’s increased aggregation of below-1-GHz spectrum in this market area, as well as in Alaska as a whole, we find that the likelihood of competitive harm is low,” the bureau said in the order in WT docket 15-265. “Further, we find that some public interest benefits are likely to be realized, such as the expansion and improvement of wireless broadband in Alaska’s many unserved or underserved areas, leading to a better consumer experience. Based on the record before us and our competitive review, we find that the potential public interest benefits clearly outweigh any potential public interest harms.” – Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com