PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 TWELFTH STREET, S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 DA 11-294 News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov Released: February 16, 2011 AT&T MOBILITY SPECTRUM LLC AND WHIDBEY TELEPHONE COMPANY SEEK FCC CONSENT TO THE ASSIGNMENT OF LOWER 700 MHz B BLOCK AND LOWER 700 MHz C BLOCK LICENSES ULS File Nos. 0004544863, 0004544869 PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED Petitions To Deny Due: March 2, 2011 Oppositions Due: March 14, 2011 Replies Due: March 21, 2011 I. INTRODUCTION AT&T Mobility Spectrum LLC (“AT&T Mobility”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of AT&T Inc. (collectively with AT&T Mobility, “AT&T”), and Whidbey Telephone Company (“Whidbey”) (collectively, “the Applicants”) have filed applications pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,1 seeking to assign certain Lower 700 MHz B Block and Lower 700 MHz C Block licenses (the “Whidbey Licenses”) from Whidbey to AT&T Mobility. The Applicants state that the additional spectrum will enable AT&T to augment its network capacity in order to enhance the scope and depth of services offered in the affected markets. Specifically, the additional spectrum will, according to the Applicants, facilitate the provision of additional products and services to the public in these markets as well as the continued deployment of GSM/EDGE and HSDPA/UMTS technologies. Preliminary review of the applications indicates that in the 30 counties encompassed by the transaction, post-transaction AT&T would hold between 18 and 55 megahertz of spectrum below 1 GHz.2 II. SECTION 310(d) APPLICATIONS The applications for consent to the full assignment of the licenses from Whidbey to AT&T Mobility have been assigned the following file numbers: 1 47 U.S.C. § 310(d). 2 This calculation of spectrum below 1 GHz takes into account AT&T’s pending application to acquire 6 megahertz of Lower 700 MHz D Block spectrum from Qualcomm Incorporated in this market. See FCC File No. 0004566825. 2 File No. Licensee/Assignor Assignee Lead Call Sign 0004544863 Whidbey Telephone Company AT&T Mobility Spectrum LLC WQIZ641 0004544869 Whidbey Telephone Company AT&T Mobility Spectrum LLC WPYU553 III. EX PARTE STATUS OF THIS PROCEEDING Pursuant to Section 1.1200(a) of the Commission’s rules,3 the Commission may adopt modified or more stringent ex parte procedures in particular proceedings if the public interest so requires.4 We announce that this proceeding will be governed by permit-but-disclose ex parte procedures that are applicable to non-restricted proceedings under Section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules.5 Parties making oral ex parte presentations are directed to the Commission’s statement reemphasizing the public’s responsibility in permit-but-disclose proceedings and are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain the presentation’s substance and not merely list the subjects discussed.6 More than a one- or two-sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required.7 Other rules pertaining to oral and written presentations are set forth in Section 1.1206(b) as well.8 IV. GENERAL INFORMATION The assignment applications referenced herein have been found, upon initial review, to be acceptable for filing. The Commission reserves the right to return any application if, upon further examination, it is determined to be defective and not in conformance with the Commission’s rules or policies. Interested parties must file petitions to deny no later than March 2, 2011. Persons and entities that file petitions to deny become parties to the proceeding. They may participate fully in the proceeding, including seeking access to any confidential information that may be filed under a protective order, seeking reconsideration of decisions, and filing appeals of a final decision to the courts. Oppositions to such pleadings must be filed no later than March 14, 2011. Replies to such pleadings must be filed no later than March 21, 2011. All filings concerning matters referenced in this Public Notice should refer to ULS File Nos. 0004544863 and 0004544869. Under the Commission’s current procedures for the submission of filings and other documents,9 submissions in this matter may be filed electronically (i.e., though the Commission’s Universal Licensing System (“ULS”)) or by hand delivery to the Commission. 3 47 C.F.R. § 1.1200(a). 4 On February 1, 2011, the Commission adopted a Report and Order amending and revising the Commission’s rules on ex parte presentations. Amendment of the Commission’s Ex Parte Rules and Other Procedural Rules, GC Dkt. No. 10-43, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 11-11 (rel. Feb. 2, 2011). The revised rules will become effective 30 days after they are published in the Federal Register. 5 Id. § 1.1206. 6 See Commission Emphasizes the Public’s Responsibilities in Permit-But-Disclose Proceedings, Public Notice, 15 FCC Rcd 19945 (2000). 7 See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2). 8 Id. § 1.1206(b). 9 See FCC Announces Change in Filing Location for Paper Documents, Public Notice, 24 FCC Rcd 14312 (2009). 3 · If filed by ULS, pleadings may be filed via: https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/pleadings/pleadingsType.jsp. · If filed by paper, the original and four copies of each filing must be filed by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. One copy of each pleading must be delivered electronically, by e-mail or facsimile, or if delivered as paper copy, by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (according to the procedures set forth above for paper filings), to: (1) the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., at FCC@BCPIWEB.COM or (202) 488-5563 (facsimile); (2) Kathy Harris, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at kathy.harris@fcc.gov or (202) 418-7447 (facsimile); (3) Kate Matraves, Spectrum and Competition Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at catherine.matraves@fcc.gov or (202) 418-7447 (facsimile); and (4) Jim Bird, Office of General Counsel, at jim.bird@fcc.gov or (202) 418-1234 (facsimile). Copies of the applications and any subsequently-filed documents in this matter may be obtained from Best Copy and Printing, Inc. in person at 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, via telephone at (202) 488-5300, via facsimile at (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at FCC@BCPIWEB.COM. The applications and any associated documents are also available for public inspection and copying during normal reference room hours at the following Commission office: FCC Reference Information Center, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. The applications are also available electronically through ULS, which may be accessed on the Commission’s Internet website. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice) or 202-418-0432 (TTY). Contact the FCC to request reasonable accommodations for filing comments (accessible format documents, sign language interpreters, CART, etc.) by e-mail: FCC504@fcc.gov; phone: 202-418-0530 or TTY: 202-418-0432. For further information, contact Kathy Harris, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-0609, or Kate Matraves, Spectrum and Competition Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-7878. -FCC-