AT&T: We'd use T-Mo AWS spectrum for LTE plus double some 3G coverage
AT&T is doing its utmost this morning to convince investors, regulators and the general public that its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA is more than just a good idea for the carrier's shareholders. In the AT&T presentation [pdf link; see gallery after the cut], the carrier promises that AT&T and T-Mobile customers will see benefits within a year of the deal closing; that will include freeing up T-Mobile's 1700MHz AWS spectrum for AT&T to use for LTE roll-out.
That, it's suggested, would mean 95-percent of the US population would be able to get 4G LTE, along with benefits in 3G/4G coverage both in rural and urban areas. By combining the dual-band cell sites, AT&T reckons it can double 3G capacity in many areas, boosting coverage for subscribers on both networks, with Chicago, San Francisco and New York highlighted as particularly benefiting.
![](https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/att-wed-use-t-mo-aws-spectrum-for-lte-plus-double-some-3g-coverage/INV_PRES_3-21-11_FINAL-19-580x448.jpg)
As for complaints from rivals like Sprint that the acquisition would negatively impact competition, AT&T denies that would be the case. In fact, it's claimed, US wireless prices have historically fallen when carriers have combined their efforts; AT&T flags up the Sprint/Nextel and Verizon/Alltel deals as evidence, in fact.