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TMCNet: Verizon to sell spectrum licenses

[April 19, 2012]

Verizon to sell spectrum licenses

Apr 19, 2012 (TELECOMWORLDWIRE via COMTEX) -- US communications services provider Verizon Wireless on Wednesday announced plans to conduct an open sale process for all of its 700 MHz A and B spectrum licenses in order to rationalise its spectrum holdings.


The licenses cover dozens of major cities across the US, as well as a number of smaller and rural markets.

Verizon had 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 is now deploying its 4G LTE network, which currently covers over 200 million people, on its nationwide 700 MHz upper C spectrum. If Verizon 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.

As a result, the sale of the A and B licenses is contingent on the close of Verizon's pending purchases of AWS licenses from SpectrumCo, an entity jointly owned by Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, Cox and Leap Wireless.

These transactions are at varying stages of review by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) and are expected to close by mid-summer.

The company said that it is announcing the sale plans now and will begin the process of soliciting interest from potential buyers to ensure the process can move forward quickly once the AWS license transfers have been completed.

Stephens Inc, an independent financial services firm, has been engaged to manage the offering process.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ)(Nasdaq:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE:VOD)(Nasdaq:VOD).

Comments on this story may be sent to tww.feedback@m2.com

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