T-Mobile is now speaking out at an increased pace against startup M2Z Networks’ plan to build a nationwide AWS-3 wireless network.
M2Z has no FCC approval to build a mobile WiMAX network and no technology for sale.Yet the company’s plan to give away service for free is drawing a loud response from T-Mobile and other major incumbents such as AT&T, MetroPCS, Nokia, the CTIA and others.
The incumbents argue that M2Z’s proposal would significantly interfere with existing AWS-1 networks. M2Z claims the interference argument is false and is meant as a distraction from a different issue – that its opponents want to prevent anyone from offering free service.
T-Mobile’s newest statements include a technical analysis it commissioned from Optimi and a letter asserting that the U.S. public doesn’t need what M2Z wants to provide.
Earlier this week, T-Mobile issued a statement saying that M2Z is unqualified to make technical judgments about the interference, despite M2Z’s CEO and top technical adviser both being former FCC officials (story here).
M2Z has not issued any reply as of this morning to T-Mobile’s current round of statements.
FCC officials declined to state a timeframe for its findings on the matter.
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