T-Mobile is doing all it can to acquire more spectrum to expand its LTE network in order to compete with Verizon and AT&T on a coverage scale. In the most recent application, T-Mobile is seeking to acquire a mix of spectrum from BEK Communications Cooperative in North Dakota. In various counties across the state, T-Mo is looking to get its hands on 700MHz, 1700/2100 (AWS) and 1900 MHz (PCS) spectrum to bolster its network portfolio.

The transaction is “pending” and is available to view in detail on the FCC’s website. It includes links to the Competitors, Spectrum Aggregation and Transaction Description/Public Interest Statement documents as usual.

What I found particularly interesting in this filing is the post transaction spectrum breakdown. In the low-band 700MHz spectrum column, it shows four countiess as receiving 24MHz of the 700 spectrum. To my mind, these are the first markets to receive more the 12MHz. I could be wrong on that, but I don’t recall seeing any others with that large a block of the low-band airwaves. Not in one transaction.

A breakdown of current, and proposed spectrum is below:

If recent approval rates are anything to go by, this transaction with BEK could be signed and sealed within then next 2-3 months.

Source: FCC