T-Mobile increases access to 600MHZ spectrum with lease from Grain Management

T-Mobile remains keen on increasing its access to low band spectrum, recently leasing 600 MHz spectrum from Grain Management. Spectrum is crucial for the wireless industry, enhancing service depth and quality. For cell tower owners and landlords, new spectrum deployment may necessitate additional leased space, configurations, and lease amendments. Industry-wide, this could lead to increased site acquisition work, construction, and hardware to support the new spectrum.

This transaction seamlessly complements T-Mobile's existing spectrum and appears to be contiguous with it. It is highly likely that hardware modifications will be necessary, as the current low-band RRUs deployed by T-Mobile should support it with a re-tune.

A good example of the continuous demand can be seen in the PEA019 / Portland market. Over the years, T-Mobile has significantly increased its 600MHz low-band spectrum by acquiring and leasing assets from Comcast and Grain Management, effectively doubling the amount of spectrum it uses in the 600MHz band.

• T-Mobile, is owner of the C block (622-627, 668-673), and D block (627-632, 673-678) from the 600 MHZ incentive auction in 2017

• In 2023, T-Mobile came to an Agreement with Comcast on a lease to purchase for 600 MHZ spectrum, which included the E block (637-642, 683-688)

• Grain Management is owner of the B block (622-627, 668-673)

Years back while when we were on the American Tower acquisitions team, Grain played an active role in acquiring small to mid-sized portfolios of cell towers from various owners and developers. Under the leadership of industry veteran David Grain, the company remains active in the telecom sector, continuing its efforts to this day.

"Grain's investments in the telecom industry stretch far beyond spectrum. The company has investments in fiber operators including 123NET, Hunter Communications, Ritter Communications, Great Plains Communications, Quintillion and Summit Broadband, as well as cell tower operators like Phoenix Tower International, managed telecom service providers like Spectrotel, and telecom solutions and logistics providers like Network Wireless Solutions" See: https://www.lightreading.com/5g/t-mobile-scratches-lowband-itch-with-grain-s-spectrum

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