FCC chairman helps AT&T cement dominance with $23 billion spectrum deal

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman has facilitated a $23 billion spectrum deal between AT&T and EchoStar. The deal will allow AT&T to acquire valuable wireless spectrum, further cementing its market dominance. The FCC had previously threatened to revoke EchoStar's licenses for the spectrum, citing its failure to deploy the assets as promised. Rather than risk losing the licenses, EchoStar chose to sell the spectrum to AT&T. The transaction highlights the FCC's role in shaping the telecommunications landscape, with critics arguing that the chairman's actions have strengthened the position of the industry's largest player, AT&T. The deal is seen as a blow to competition, as it reduces the available spectrum for smaller providers to challenge the dominance of the major carriers. The article raises concerns about the FCC's impartiality and its impact on the overall competitiveness of the wireless market. The decision has implications for consumer choice and the future of the telecommunications industry.