Verizon and Leap Apply for Approval of Spectrum Deal

Verizon Wireless and Leap Wireless have filed a series of applications at the Federal Communications Commission seeking approval to assign spectrum licenses.

The Applicants request consent to assign the 700 MHz Lower Band Block A license for the Chicago BEA from Verizon Wireless to Leap Wireless. In addition, Leap Wireless will assign to Verizon Wireless 23 PCS licenses and 13 AWS-1 licenses in full; disaggregated portions of one PCS license and one AWS-1 license; and partitioned portions of three AWS-1 licenses.

The Applicants state that the assignment of licenses will enable Verizon Wireless to add spectrum capacity in some markets that will help address the rapidly growing demand of its customers for broadband wireless services. The Applicants also state that Leap Wireless is in need of the additional spectrum in the Chicago area to expand its service offerings and to deploy LTE network technology, which will allow it to offer improved broadband data services and to continue to compete with other carriers in that market. Finally, the Applicants explain that the proposed transactions involve the sale of excess spectrum in the subject markets, and the transactions will not affect the existing operations of either carrier or involve any customer transition issues.

Preliminary review of the applications indicates that the proposed transfer of licenses would result in Verizon Wireless acquiring between 10-30 megahertz of spectrum in 204 CMAs. Leap Wireless would acquire 12 megahertz of spectrum in 13 CMAs.

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