US Cellular interested in buying Verizon's 700 MHz spectrum

According to a filing at the Federal Communications Commission, US Cellular is interested in buying Verizon Wireless' 700 MHz Lower A and B Block spectrum. US Cellular did not indicate how much it would be willing to pay for the spectrum, but said the sale could be beneficial to the industry.

US Cellular CEO Mary Dillon met with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski on May 8. At the meeting, Dillon and other US Cellular executives, including CTO Michael Irizarry, said the proposed sale could benefit other carriers that own licenses in Band Class 12 of the 700 MHz band, which include C Spire Wireless and others. Verizon has proposed selling the spectrum if it gets regulatory approval of its purchase of AWS spectrum from a group of cable companies. US Cellular executives also supported the idea of AT&T purchasing the spectrum, as long as AT&T supported the Band Class 12 ecosystem. The carrier also said it would support Verizon simply building out a network using the spectrum (Verizon's current LTE network uses its 700 MHz Upper C Block spectrum). Importantly, US Cellular executives said the sale did not override the need for the FCC to issue interoperability requirements for the lower 700 MHz band. Such a mandate would require carriers to sell phones that support multiple 700 MHz bands, not just the bands they own licenses in.