600 Matters. A vision for collaborating with America s broadcasters

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Edgar Lester
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1 600 Matters A vision for collaborating with America s broadcasters 2017

2 We re all in! When the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the 600 MHz broadcast spectrum auction, the Un-carrier committed to America s broadcasters it would participate in the auction and it would spend big. We more than met our promise: T-Mobile made the company s largest investment ever just under $8 billion for an average 31 MHz of spectrum spread across each of 414 partial economic areas (PEAs) as defined by the FCC. In fact, T-Mobile was the biggest investor in the broadcast spectrum auction. T-Mobile acquired between 20 and 50 MHz of broadcast spectrum in each of 414 partial economic areas that covers every single inch of 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Legacy of working with broadcasters Strategically and tactically, T-Mobile is attuned to working closely with America s broadcast executives, operations & engineering personnel. We know how to transition spectrum when we acquire it. In 2014, T-Mobile acquired significant tracks of 700 MHz A-Block licenses from a competitor. The valuable spectrum was adjacent to a host of Channel 51stations across the country and sat un-used for many years because of the re-farming and interference complexities. Results were achieved in 36 months: Once T-Mobile acquired the spectrum, we engaged broadcasters to repack to new channels. In 11 markets where this was not possible, Channel 51 broadcasters and T-Mobile agreed to concurrent operations. The results achieved in just three short years speak volumes about the professionalism and collaborative approach we create with broadcasters.

Thirty-nine months and counting July 12, 2017 is the first deadline for broadcasters To help broadcasters and T-Mobile through 2020, we have partnered with a number of companies known and trusted by

Know your deadlines for FCC Permits & Cost Estimates -- and how to register: The first important milestone for broadcasters occurs on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 the deadline for submission of the FCC s

3 Thirty-nine months and counting July 12, 2017 is the first deadline for broadcasters To help broadcasters and T-Mobile through 2020, we have partnered with a number of companies known and trusted by broadcasters ERI, Inc., Rio Steel & Tower, FDH Velocitel, Widelity, Inc., and Grundy Telcom Integration, Inc. Know your deadlines for FCC Permits & Cost Estimates -- and how to register: The first important milestone for broadcasters occurs on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 the deadline for submission of the FCC s Construction Permit Application, as well as transition cost estimates. Take a look at the enclosed fact sheet which highlights some of the key milestones and resources that will help broadcasters. We re here to support the spectrum transition The Un-carrier s spectrum team is here in full-force. We understand broadcasters are eager to learn more and take advantage of new broadcast technologies. T-Mobile spectrum team members are here to participate in discussions with broadcasters, answer questions, and build relationships. If there are ideas from broadcasters on ways we can facilitate a smooth and seamless transition of spectrum, we are ready to meet. Reach out to us by phone our spectrum team members are listed on the back cover -- or reach us at SpectrumTeam@T-Mobile.com.

4 600 MHz Spectrum Transition: Milestones for Broadcasters Now that the 600 MHz broadcast auction is complete, broadcasters have 39 months to transition their spectrum licenses to the new owners. For T-Mobile which has a track record of purchasing new spectrum and deploying it at break-neck speed this means partnering and coordinating with broadcasters and the companies that can best help broadcasters transition to their new channels. With July 2020 as the end-date, the FCC has released a Public Notice for the Incentive Auction Closing and Channel Reassignment at the following link: Key milestones from the FCC s Public Notice Due July 12, 2017 FCC Form 1876 with payment instructions Construction Permit Applications for new channels Estimate of reimbursement-eligible relocation costs Reimbursement Cost Estimates Stations that are involuntarily reassigned as well as Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs) are eligible for reimbursement for their reasonably incurred repacking costs. Entities eligible for reimbursement will use FCC Form 2100, Schedule 399, to submit their estimated costs. The FCC developed a catalog of eligible reimbursement expenses with cost estimates for each eligible expense. Stations may also submit their cost estimates based on actual price quotes from vendors with supporting documentation. For costs incurred prior to the April 13, 2017 Public Notice, don t forget to include this cost information for eligible costs. Cost estimates and documentation must be filed in the FCC s Licensing & Management System (LMS). The FCC s Licensing & Management System (LMS) If not already registered, companies must register through the FCC s CORES (Commission Registration System): gov/coresweb/publichome.do and have a user name, password, and FCC Registration Number (FRN). Log-in to the LMS with the FRN associated with the station: Reimbursement Allocation & Claims After stations have submitted their cost estimates, the FCC s Media Bureau will make an initial reimbursement account allocation for each assigned station and MVPD. For commercial stations: 80% of the approved estimated costs. For non-commercial stations: 90% of the approved estimated costs. Eligible entities will be able to view their allocation amounts in the CORES system. Stations and MVPDs will be able to draw down against their account allocations as they incur actual expenses. To do this, the stations and MVPDs will file a reimbursement claim along with required documentation. This will be accomplished in the LMS. Payments To receive reimbursement for spectrum transition-related costs, stations and MVPDs have a two-step process: 1. The eligible station or MVPD must submit an original, hard-copy, signed and notarized FCC Form This should be submitted with verifications of bank account ownership for each facility that will be receiving a reimbursement. 2. The eligible station or MVPD authorized agent will enter the bank account information in the Auction Bank Accounts section of the CORES Incentive Auction Financial Module. For More Information: For questions about reimbursements, contact Pam Gallant, Pamela.Gallant@fcc.gov, (202) For FCC User Registration-related questions, contact the FCC User Registration System and CORES Help Desk CORESHelpDesk@fcc.gov, (202) For T-Mobile, contact us at SpectrumTeam@T-Mobile.com. HowMobileWorks.com/spectrum 2017

MARK COMBS Senior Manager, Engineering Department Mark.Combs@T-Mobile.com 206.383.

Mark has a master s degree from Creighton University and earned his bachelor s degree at the University of San Diego. Mark works at T-Mobile s headquarters in Washington state.

5913 Chris had a childhood interest in two-way radios, which led him to bachelor s and master s degrees in engineering at Georgia Tech University.

Miller99@T-Mobile.com 425.383.8441 Most of Katie s wireless industry experience has been with T-Mobile in tower management and operations.

Formerly at T-Mobile s headquarters, Katie now works in Irvine, California and is completing her studies at Brandman University. SCOTT HEWETT Spectrum Consultant Scott.Hewett1@T-Mobile.com 603.930.

5 MARK COMBS Senior Manager, Engineering Department Mark s been in the wireless industry for more than 20 years and is known for his strong engineering, problem-solving and negotiation skills. Mark has a master s degree from Creighton University and earned his bachelor s degree at the University of San Diego. Mark works at T-Mobile s headquarters in Washington state. CHRIS WIECZOREK Director, Spectrum Policy Chris.Wieczorek@T-Mobile.com Chris had a childhood interest in two-way radios, which led him to bachelor s and master s degrees in engineering at Georgia Tech University. Later, he earned a telecommunications law degree from the Catholic University of America in our nation s capital where he works for T-Mobile. KATIE MILLER Manager, National Broadcast Outreach Kathryn.Miller99@T-Mobile.com Most of Katie s wireless industry experience has been with T-Mobile in tower management and operations. Katie helps drive T-Mobile s relationships with broadcasters and is working to make certain T-Mobile understands broadcasters needs. Formerly at T-Mobile s headquarters, Katie now works in Irvine, California and is completing her studies at Brandman University. SCOTT HEWETT Spectrum Consultant Scott.Hewett1@T-Mobile.com Located near Boston, Scott is a consulting executive with a background in both wireless and broadcasting infrastructure. Prior to joining T-Mobile s spectrum clearing team, Scott served as vice president of strategic partners for a DAS provider, Cellular Specialties. Earlier, Scott was president of Alan Dick (USA) Inc., a manufacturer of wireless base stations and broadcasting antennas. HowMobileWorks.com/spectrum 2017 T-MOBILE USA, INC SE 38TH STREET BELLEVUE, WA SpectrumTeam@T-Mobile.com For the ninth straight year, T-Mobile has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World s Most Ethical Companies. The program honors companies that excel in three primary areas: 1) Promoting ethical business standards, 2) enabling managers and employees to make good choices, and 3) shaping future industry standards by forging tomorrow s best practices today.

FCC Releases Proposals for Broadcast Spectrum Incentive Auctions

Advisory October 2012 FCC Releases Proposals for Broadcast Spectrum Incentive Auctions by Scott R. Flick and Paul A. Cicelski The FCC released its long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to begin