Rural wireless providers petition to reinstate spectrum cap

An association of rural wireless providers petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to re-impose a spectrum cap in light of the growing market presence of AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless in the mobile phone industry. "In the absence of a spectrum cap, Verizon and AT&T will continue to grow unchecked and rural and regional wireless carriers will be adversely affected as they attempt to obtain spectrum and compete against consolidated nationwide wireless carriers who possess greater resources and economies of scale," said Michael Higgins Jr., president of the Rural Telecommunications Group. The RTG, whose members include independent mobile carriers and those affiliated with rural telephone companies, want the FCC to prohibit a wireless operator from controlling more than 110 megahertz (below the 2.3 GHz band) in any one market.