AT&T snaps up Aloha Partners' wireless spectrum stash

It looks like AT&T sure is serious about expanding its network, with the company now following up its recent purchase of Dobson Communications with an acquisition of a stash of spectrum from Providence, R.I.-based Aloha Partners LP, the largest owner of 700MHz spectrum in the US (and parent company of mobile TV firm HiWire). According to The Wall Street Journal, the deal totals some $2.5 billion, and includes spectrum covering 72 of the United States' top 100 markets, covering about 196 million people in all. No word on how this will affect T-Mobile's current arrangement with HiWire, or HiWire itself, for that matter, but we suspect there'll be some rather, um, interesting discussions going on behind the scenes.

[Andy @ Oct 9th 2007 11:42AM]

Do you mean 196 million people in all?

[Patrick Henderson @ Oct 9th 2007 11:43AM]

$2.5 billion for 196 people? Where's the business plan in that?

[Joe @ Oct 9th 2007 11:52AM]

Those people must have some really expensive phone bills. I mean, how many ringtones and picture messages do they have? Or is it from roaming and data usage?

[sr @ Oct 9th 2007 11:56AM]

You seriously mean 1700MHz. 700MHz has not even been auctioned out yet, for that matter it is still being used by broadcast television.

[Tony C @ Oct 9th 2007 12:06PM]

No, they're right... The Wall Street Journal article specifically states 700MHz and doing a quick check at Aloha Parter's website (http://www.alohapartners.net), they state that they are "The Largest Owner of 700MHz Spectrum in the US" with a total of 77 licenses which they acquired in 2001 and 2003 auctions plus by buying out the previous second and third largest license owners. All that might sound like a lot at first, but they supposedly only own 12MHz of that band.

[Michael Stroud @ Oct 9th 2007 1:00PM]

Thought you guys would be interested in my thoughts about the Aloha purchase. Including part of my blog below. You can read the rest at http://news.ihollywoodforum.com/public/item/185909.

AT&T's purchase of Aloha Partners puts Verizon's mobile TV launch squarely in its cross-hairs.

Verizon uses Qualcomm's competitive MediaFlo technology, which already broadcasts shows like "60 Minutes" and "CSI: New York" in more than 32 markets.

Aloha's HiWire unit has quietly acquired 700 mhz spectrum in 281 markets covering more than 196 million while attention has focused on two other players: Verizon and its V Cast Mobile TV service; and Modeo, which scrapped plans for its own digital TV service over the summer.

Aloha's acquisition would allow AT&T to leapfrog directly from its relatively slow network to broadcast-quality TV on mobile handsets.

http://news.ihollywoodforum.com/public/item/185909
news.ihollywoodforum.com

[Cagrino @ Oct 9th 2007 1:37PM]

All this broadcast TV on your mobile being provided by whatever telco is ok, but I don't know why anybody would subscribe to this.

You only get to watch whatever it is they have decided to port to this service and then you have an additional fee every month for this service.

Why not just get a slingbox and compatible phone (WM, Palm, now S60) and you can watch whatever you have at home without a monthly fee. I've been doing this for a few months now. I have about 300 channels plus whatever is on my DVR available anytime on my phone or laptop.

You have an initial setup cost of around ~$200 (depending on the model you pick), but that's a one time fee.

[beanspants @ Oct 9th 2007 2:13PM]

AT&T already uses Mediaflo for their 3G network which features mobile television. This purchase will allow them to expand their 3G network, not create it. This would include expansion in cities where they already offer 3G service.

We read about that here, on Engadget. So, no, you don't seem to be providing much, so there is no reason to read your site.

[jim @ Oct 9th 2007 1:44PM]

Does this mean that good coverage is finally coming to the midwest?

[chroma @ Oct 9th 2007 3:44PM]

I saw (my old carrier) dobson. The switch still isn't complete to ATT, but i went over to att early just so i could have a iPhone.