2015 events

January 2015
  • On 1/7 WLAJ (Lansing, MI) submitted an application to relocate from channel 51 to 25. 
  • On 1/13 Rancho Palos Verdes Broadcasters, the licensee of KXLA, has entered into a Concurrent Operations Agreement with T-Mobile USA. Pursuant to the Agreement RPVB gives its concurrence for the operations of T-Mobile's 700 MHz A block license within the protected service contour of KXLA.

February 2015

  • The FCC approved the agreement between Rancho Palos Verdes Broadcasters, the licensee of KXLA, and T-Mobile (see above). KXLA protecting zone has been removed from the map as it no longer prevents deployment of LTE in 700 MHz A block. You can see KXLA service contour on their profile page.
  • T-Mobile announced 700 MHz network in Dallas and Houston. In other news the company has already entered into agreements to relocate broadcasters to new frequencies or operate concurrently in 10 markets covering more than 41 million people, making those markets available for launch in 2015. You can see seven of those companies on the map below (green service contours) and KXLA (Los Angeles, CA). Two more stations remain unknown.
  • As of February 20th seven stations broadcasting on UHF channel 51 have been approved for relocation. Five of them have received construction permits. Relocation remains on track (click on the individual antenna icons for the estimates).
March 2015
  • In order to start deployment closer than 67 miles to WIWU-CD (Marion, IN) T-Mobile submitted an application to establish a 5-miles buffer zone around WIWU-CD service contour (see the map below). The proposed exclusion zone radius is approximately 26.5 miles.
  • T-Mobile has completed acquisition of 700 MHz B and C blocks in a dozen of counties in North Dakota. You can now see the depth of 700 MHz holdings on the map, notice the different opacity in North Dakota. In addition, the spectrum holdings lookup is now able to display 700 MHz A, B, and C blocks.
  • KBVO-CD (Austin, TX) has completed the relocation to channel 31 and filed an application to replace channel 51 license with channel 31. Update: application approved on 3/24.
  • T-Mobile notified the FCC that the deal to acquire two licenses covering Seattle and Portland areas from Vulcan has been consummated.
  • On 3/25 T-Mobile filed an application to acquire two South Dakota licenses from Dryad Communications.
April 2015
May 2015
  • KCEB (Longview, TX) has completed the relocation and received channel 26 license.
  • A new and I hope the final channel 51 TV station and exclusion zone added to the map: WHSU-CA (Syracuse, NY). Read this post for details.
  • T-Mobile notified the FCC the acquisition of El Paso 700A license is complete.
  • WLAJ (Lansing, MI) completed the relocation and is now broadcasting on channel 25.
  • John Legere revealed that T-Mobile signed a concurrent operations agreement with WNJN (Montclair, NJ) that covers NYC.
June 2015
  • T-Mobile submitted an application to sell 700A block license covering Alaska to Alaska Wireless Network. Since the first map below shows the prospects of building T-Mobile's network, the license was moved to the second map. In addition West Virginia counties of Pittsburg economic area (BEA53) have also been added to the second map.
  • The acquisition of two South Dakota licenses is complete
July 2015
  • Channel 51 Relocations: The End of Chapter One
  • The FCC granted new channel licenses to KPXE-TV (Kansas City, MO), WPXA-TV (Atlanta, GA) and KOHD (Bend, OR). This marks the end of the corresponding exclusion zones.
  • T-Mobile signed concurrent operations agreements with KDTV-DT (San Francisco, CA) and KTFN (El Paso, TX).
  • The FCC approved concurrent operations agreements with WNJN (Montclair, NJ), WHLV-TV (Orlando, FL) and KTFN (El Paso, TX).
  • The FCC approved the latest concurrent operations agreement T-Mobile signed with KDTV-DT (San Francisco, CA). As of 7/13/2015 T-Mobile can deploy LTE band 12 in the licensed areas covering 177 million people.

August 2015

  • WKEF (Dayton, OH) and WJAR (Providence, RI) completed relocations and notified the FCC. As of August 2015 T-Mobile can deploy LTE band 12 in the licensed areas covering approximately 187 million people.
September 2015
October 2015
  • T-Mobile signed an agreement to acquire ten 700Mhz A block licenses from AB License Co subject to FCC approval. After the approval licensed areas that are available for network deployment will cover about 200 million people. Approximately 7.5 million more people will be in the channel 51 exclusion zones unless T-Mobile clears them.
  • T-Mobile announced 700 MHz network has been deployed to cover 175 million people as of Q3.
  • T-Mobile submitted applications to acquire licenses in South Texas, Idaho and North Minnesota. Once approved T-Mobile will hold 700 MHz licenses covering 210 million people (Update: the initial publication incorrectly showed a Wyoming area. The license will actually be partitioned and Silver Star Telephone Company will keep Wyoming part of the license)