Verizon tries to prevent T-Mobile from getting more 600 MHz spectrum

Verizon is appealing to the Federal Communications Commission to prevent T-Mobile from getting its hands on leases of more 600 MHz spectrum. T-Mobile applied for instant spectrum leases with Channel 51 License Company and LB License Co. to lease 600 MHz spectrum in a number of major markets, including Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, New Orleans, St. Louis, San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta, and Seattle, among others. Channel 51 and LB License Co. had been lending 600 MHz spectrum to T-Mobile to help the carrier boost its network during the Covid-19 pandemic. And T-Mobile wants to now convert those loans into leases. But Verizon is opposing T-Mobile’s access to the spectrum, arguing that the additional 600 MHz of spectrum, if granted to T-Mobile, would cause Verizon “competitive harms.” And it’s hanging its legal hat on the fact that the additional spectrum would cause T-Mobile to exceed a “spectrum screen” set by the FCC.