In a recent statement, AT&T has disclosed that its spectrum compromise with Sirius XM Radio, for resolving the issues that arise because of the proximity of a few of their respective spectrum assets, has been approved unanimously by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The AT&T-Sirius compromise plan was first put forth by the two companies in June this year; and essentially enables AT&T to use spectrum in the so-called Wireless Communication Services (WCS) band for furthering its LTE deployment.

Under the joint plan, which will allow both AT&T and Sirius to co-exist while using the spectrum, it has been decided that AT&T - which has held underutilized 30 Mhz in WCS spectrum for years - will use only 20 Mhz of WCS spectrum; thereby making provision for a sizeable 10 Mhz `interference buffer' between its assets and Sirius' assets.

Since AT&T has not been able to exploit its 30 Mhz in spectrum due to the fact that it is surrounded by satellite-radio frequencies - like those owned by Sirius - which cause potential intervention, the compromise plan underscores that once the spectrum is freed, AT&T will use it for expanding its high-speed 4G LTE network.

About AT&T's compromise plan with Sirius, Joan Marsh - AT&T's VP of federal regulatory issues - said that the service rules which have been worked out by the two companies will "permit deployment of LTE technologies in the WCS band while ensuring that satellite radio services are protected from unreasonable interference."