Verizon fires back at critics of deal

Verizon rebutted several main criticisms of its proposed deal with a coalition of cable companies in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Verizon noted that the cable companies were not using their spectrum, but Verizon will be able to use it to meet the needs of its millions of customers. Verizon argued that the FCC is barred from considering alternative possibilities for how the spectrum could be used, for example, if the cable companies sold it to T-Mobile instead. Verizon rejected arguments that it is "warehousing" the spectrum it already owns, saying the accusation is "demonstrably false." Verizon called itself a "good steward of spectrum," and said that it needs the spectrum to meet its customers' "skyrocketing" demand for 4G LTE service. Verizon also rejected arguments that regulators should impose conditions on the deal, such as capping roaming rates or imposing interoperability requirements.