Verizon looking to grab 15 AWS-1 licenses in full and parts of three other licenses from Stelera DIP, which took over the assets after Stelera Wireless filed for bankruptcy.
Under the proposed transaction, Verizon Wireless would get 10-40 MHz of AWS-1 in 114 counties covering parts or all of 19 CMAs in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas. Verizon said in a filing with the FCC that post-transaction, it would hold 87-132 MHz in the mentioned CMAs with 20-50 MHz of that being AWS-1.
Verizon said it intends to deploy the spectrum as part of its LTE network. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
This potential spectrum deal for Verizon follows a similar transaction filed for in late October in which Verizon applied to take 20 MHz of AWS off of U.S. Cellular’s hands. Those licenses cover parts of Illinois and Missouri, including St. Louis. Similarly, financial details were not disclosed.
Speaking at the Wells Fargo Tech, Media and Telecom Conference yesterday, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo said the carrier is working to address capacity issues on its LTE network, particularly in New York, San Francisco and Chicago. Shammo said Verizon is using LTE-Advanced technology, DAS and turning on more AWS spectrum to help deal with the congestion.