Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen sells LTE spectrum to AT&T
By Darren Murph 
posted September 17th 2009 2:17PM
posted September 17th 2009 2:17PM
Here's one straight from the depths of left field. If you'll recall, Microsoft's co-founder Paul Allen was considering buying a bit of spectrum from the 700MHz auction after founding Vulcan Spectrum LLC. Evidently, the guy's bid ended in a win, but he's obviously not so keen on getting in on the flagging MVNO business. According to a document filed with the FCC, Allen has agreed to sell the licenses he owns -- which cover sections of Oregon and Washington -- to AT&T, though the carrier isn't disclosing financial terms. According to AT&T spokesman Michael Coe, the company is making the purchase to "meet customer demand and to support its transition to LTE." Unfortunately, Mr. Allen wasn't available to say what he was planning to do with the proceeds, though we did hear that one Kayne West was available to reiterate his belief that LTE was the best of all time.[Via phonescoop]
Well that's a good idea, you know, just buy spectrum because you've got the huge amounts of cash and then sit on it.
In other news AT&T still slows to a crawl in my market at noon to one PM.
He may have wads of cash, but looking at his picture one can only think...
Hi, I'm Paul Allen, and I'm a PC.
He looks just like the epitome of PC from the Apple ads.
Seriously, more Kanye jokes? Let it go.
Agreed.
Never! The world must not forget that on the night of September 13th, 2009, one man took the stage and acted like a total douche bag! Never forget, my friends! Never forget!
*looks into crystal ball and sees that 'kanye west jokes' will be the new 'will it play crysis' and 'will it blend' jokes*
Please stop, it isn't funny anymore engadget.
Nah...why should they...it's hilarious.
A douche is a douche bag.
yo wimax, I'm happy for you.. and I'ma let you finish...
but AT&T WITH LTE IS THE GREATEST CONNECT OF ALL TIME.... OF ALL TIME *shrug*
ROTFLMAO
yo BTate, I'm happy for you.. and I'ma let you finish...
but KAYNE WEST IS THE BIGGEST DOUCHE BAG OF ALL TIME.... OF ALL TIME *shrug*
tech-blog commenters doesn't care about Kanye
Yeah, thats just smart business on Paul Allen's part. He saw something that he could flip profit on in potentially more than one way, then flipped profit.
btw, Go Cougs! (alum)
lol... That picture! I thought it was the guy that says "hello I'm a PC" from Apple commercials.
lol @kanye references. engadget needs to have him as a punchline for every post one day
does this mean that AT&T is getting a 4G network
right after they get a 3G network
@Jon - Bam. I use AT&T and I approve that statement.
@Jon Briggs haha siq burn +1
It's a shame- Paul Allen Wireless could have been as successful as his foray into cable (Charter) was...
you screwed up the Kanye link! here. i'll fix it for you.
http://kanyelicio.us/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/09/14/clearwire-eyes-global-wimax-roaming-agreement-kanye-blurts-out/
Do you like Huey Lewis and the news?
"TRY GETTING A RESERVATION AT DORSIA NOW YOU F$$KING STUPID BA$TARD! YOU, F$$KING BA$TARD!"
Mr. Allen looks like Higgins! From Late Night with Jimmy Fallon!!!
Or, because Mr. Allen was known longer, maybe Higgins looks like Mr. Allen...
Hmmmm...
I hate to add a any facts to a senseless stream of comments, but: if you own the spectrum, it's not an MVNO. MVNOs are for people who don't own spectrum. If Allen had used his spectrum, he'd have had a mobile operator, not a mobile virtual network operator.
Bingo, thank you Josh.
I can't read this. All I can think of is Patrick Bateman smashing Paul Allen in the face with an axe to "Hip to be Square"...
I think he just wants to get 3G inside the Rose Garden. Which uh, he owns. Last time I checked.