AT&T wants a 'realistic' repacking schedule for FCC's spectrum auction [telecom]

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AT&T wants a 'realistic' repacking schedule for FCC's upcoming 600 MHz incentive spectrum auction

The carrier says developing a practical and efficient plan is more important than sticking to the 39-month timeline

By Colin Gibbs

AT&T said it wants a "realistic" schedule for repacking spectrum following the FCC's upcoming incentive auction of TV broadcasters' 600 MHz spectrum, signaling it would be willing to extend the deadline for the program beyond 39 months, Bloomberg BNA reported.

Joan Marsh, AT&T's vice president of federal regulatory affairs, said the carrier is more concerned with seeing "an efficient, rational, effective transition plan" than it is with sticking to the current deadline. "If we can get it done in 39 months, then we're all for it," she told attendees at the Americas Spectrum Management Conference.