T-Mobile and Verizon fail to have the Federal Communications Commission stop the award of a valuable portion of a spectrum band to FirstNet, which is operated by AT&T.
The FCC has allocated 50 megahertz of spectrum in the 4940-4990 MHz band – 4.9 GHz band – for public safety missions. FirstNet, an exclusive network for first responders, can now use the 4.9 GHz band as part of its nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN).
Both T-Mobile and Verizon tried to stop the spectrum being allotted to FirstNet. Both carrier filed opposition the license of the bands and said they should not directly be assigned to FirstNet. T-Mobile also argued that granting AT&T secondary access would allow the firm to use the spectrum for mobile broadband services for non-first responders.
AT&T won the contract to build FirstNet in 2017.
