Verizon Wireless said that a total of 64 companies — including AT&T and U.S. Cellular — have expressed interest in purchasing its Lower A and B Block 700MHz spectrum assets, according to filings with the Federal Communications Commission.
Verizon floated the idea of selling some of its spectrum assets earlier this year should the FCC greenlight Verizon’s proposed acquisition of 122 AWS spectrum licenses from a consortium of cable companies. The Department of Justice has given permission for Verizon to proceed with the AWS purchase, and the FCC chairman has recommended to his fellow commissioners that the deal be approved.
Verizon must divest an unspecified amount of spectrum to make the FCC happy, some of which will go to T-Mobile USA. Verizon wants the AWS licenses to help bolster its LTE 4G network. It hasn’t set a date yet to sell its A and B Block 700MHz holdings, but plans to do so soon.
