One of the biggest winners of spectrum in the FCC’s incentive auction has partnered up with FOX Television Stations to assist in repacking its 600 MHz spectrum.
In doing so, T-Mobile is doing its part in accelerating the final repack by 16 months and, it claims, reducing overall costs for the Incentive Auction Relocation fund by tens of millions of dollars.
As part of the agreement, FOX O&O WWOR-9 in New York, a MyNetwork TV affiliate, will repack in early 2018.
That’s more than a year sooner than originally proposed FCC deadline of August 2019.
“This agreement ensures the 19 million plus WWOR-TV households keep access to the programming they count on while enabling T-Mobile to enhance wireless coverage and capacity in the New York City area more quickly,” T-Mobile said in a statement.
Earlier this year, PBS and America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) announced a partnership with T-Mobile to assist rural translators in the move to new airwaves.
“We’re committed to working with broadcasters across the country to clear 600 MHz spectrum, so we can preserve programming and bring increased wireless choice and competition across the country,” said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer at T-Mobile.
