The FCC has granted T‑Mobile access to additional spectrum to help the carrier handle the surge in demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
As more people work from home, attend virtual classes, and rely on remote healthcare, dependable connectivity has become essential. To help meet that need, the FCC has temporarily made extra 600 MHz spectrum available to T‑Mobile for at least the next 60 days. This allocation will enable the carrier to support increased internet usage and improve capacity for teleworking, distance learning, and telemedicine.
Neville Ray, T‑Mobile’s President of Technology, emphasized the company’s commitment to keeping customers connected:
“In trying times like this, we understand how important it is for people to remain connected — to family and friends, to resources and information, to their jobs via teleworking or schools via virtual classrooms. And we take our responsibility to keep our customers connected incredibly seriously.
We can’t thank these partners and the FCC enough for coming together to provide people across the country with the critical connectivity they’re relying on right now.”
The temporary spectrum came not only from the FCC’s inventory but also from contributions by eight companies that agreed to make portions of their allocations available to T‑Mobile.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai acknowledged the collaboration between the public and private sectors:
“The FCC is dedicated to helping Americans work from home, learn at home, and connect remotely to health care professionals during this crisis. I would like to thank all of the companies that agreed to make their spectrum available for this important effort—DISH, Comcast, NewLevel, LB License Co, Channel 51, Omega, Bluewater, and TStar License Holdings. And, of course, I would like to thank T‑Mobile for launching this effort.
This temporary authority will help T‑Mobile better serve customers who, like all of us, are making significant adjustments to their daily lives to minimize in-person interactions and slow the spread of COVID‑19. In the days ahead, I look forward to taking additional actions, in partnership with the private sector, to keep Americans connected.”
Chairman Pai launched the “Keep Americans Connected” initiative, which encouraged broadband and telephone providers nationwide to adopt measures supporting customers through the crisis. The initiative drew commitments from 69 providers to take steps that maintain connectivity for at least 60 days.
All four major U.S. wireless carriers have publicly pledged measures to support customers during the pandemic, including expanded data options, suspension of service disconnections for nonpayment, and other temporary relief policies.
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