Telecom Lead America: Verizon Wireless is planning to
sell its 700 MHz A and B spectrum licenses to rationalize its spectrum
holdings.
The licenses cover dozens of major cities across the
U.S., as well as a number of smaller and rural markets.
Verizon Wireless obtained the 700 MHz A and B licenses,
as well as nationwide 700 MHz upper C licenses (with the exception of Alaska
which has since been acquired), in FCC Auction 73 in 2008.
Verizon Wireless is deploying its 4G LTE network, which
covers more than 200 million people, on its nationwide 700 MHz upper C
spectrum.
If Verizon Wireless is successful in acquiring additional
AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum licenses, it will use AWS spectrum in
conjunction with its 700 MHz upper C band spectrum to deploy additional LTE
capacity.
The sale of the A and B licenses is contingent on the
close of Verizon Wireless’ pending purchases of AWS licenses from SpectrumCo,
Cox and Leap Wireless. These transactions are expected to close by
mid-summer.
“Since wireless operators, large and small, have
expressed concern about the availability of high-quality spectrum, we believe
our 700 MHz licenses will be attractive to a wide range of buyers,” said
Molly Feldman, vice president of Business Development for Verizon
Wireless.
“Moreover, provided our acquisition of AWS spectrum
is approved, our open sale process will ensure these A and B spectrum licenses
are quickly and fairly made available for the benefit of other carriers and
their customers,” Feldman added.
Verizon Wireless serves nearly 108 million total wireless
connections, including 92.2 million retail customers.
