FCC Seeks Comment on Verizon-US Cellular Spectrum Deal

Verizon Wireless and US Cellular have filed an application seeking consent to the proposed assignment of the cellular Block B license KNKN800 and associated common carrier fixed point-to-point microwave licenses from US Cellular to Verizon Wireless. The proposed assignment of license involves two counties in one CMA in Pennsylvania.

The Applicants state that Verizon Wireless will transition the customers acquired from US Cellular to Verizon Wireless’s service within a period of nine to twelve months after closing. The Applicants assert that the proposed assignment will serve the public interest because it will enable Verizon Wireless to enter this market, which it currently does not serve, as a new competitor offering voice and 3G services, and that this entry into the market will enhance the breadth of wireless product and service offerings to US Cellular’s customers. The Applicants also state that the existing cellular operations will be supplemented by Verizon Wireless’s planned deployment of 4G LTE in the market in the near future.

Preliminary review of the application indicates that in the two counties, Verizon Wireless would hold, post-transaction, 59 megahertz of spectrum below 1 GHz.

Petitions to deny the transaction are due December 28, 2011; Oppositions to the petitions are due January 9, 2012. Replies are due January 17, 2012.