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Oct. 9, 2008

Late yesterday, T-Mobile USA has filed yet another formal complaint of M2Z Network’s plans in using AWS-3 spectrum for offering free, nationwide mobile WiMAX service.

On numerous occasions, T-Mobile has filed at least two previous complaints in the matter and it strongly opposes M2Z's plans for a number of reasons.

This time, T-Mobile says M2Z was dead wrong in citing a study from the Office of Communications of the United Kingdom.

The OFCOM report, according to M2Z, supports the claim that no significant interference would occur between AWS-3 and incumbent AWS-1 networks such as T-Mobile’s.

However, T-Mobile strongly challenges that.

“OFCOM’s analysis was based on assumptions that render it of little or no use in evaluating the harmful interference that would occur under the FCC’s proposed rules for the AWS-3 band,” T-Mobile said.

“The incompatibility of the OFCOM study with on-the-ground concerns for AWS operations in the U.S. is further compounded by the fact that OFCOM was specifically analyzing a European TDD band, which is substantially different from U.S. specifications," the complaint said.

"Overall, M2Z offers nothing to explain how OFCOM’ results could be applied to the AWS-3 band given these differences,” said T-Mobile officials.

Last week, M2Z CEO John Muleta spoke about the controversy at the 4G Executive Summit, while T-Mobile last issued a statement on Oct. 1.

Both companies are now waiting for the FCC to have its final say. If the FCC determines that no harmful interference exists, then M2Z is free to bid on the spectrum.

Muleta said his company is preparing a reply to T-Mobile’s latest string of criticisms. However, M2Z still believes that T-Mobile, along with industry giants such as AT&T and the CTIA are only trying to protect their profit margins against M2Z’s free service plans, with the interference issue just being a convenient distraction, he said.

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Source: T-Mobile USA.