It's worth taking special note of the spectrum swap deal
announced on Monday by T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless because it is a positive
development. Here is an AP
story on the deal that explains what each provider is getting and giving
up.
When the deal was announced, here is a statement I gave to
the press:
"Foremost, the spectrum swap announcement by Verizon and
T-Mobile is good for consumers because it should result in getting additional
spectrum in use for 4G broadband services sooner rather than later. It paves
the way for T-Mobile to become a stronger competitor, which is a positive for
consumers. And it ought to mean the Commission acts with dispatch to approve
the Verizon-SpectrumCo transaction."
If the FCC approves the transaction, T-Mobile will be able
to be a stronger competitor in the wireless broadband marketplace and this is
good for consumers.
And it is also good for consumers when marketplace
participants are allowed to negotiate spectrum swaps in the secondary market
without having the FCC dictate its own preferred market outcomes.
With no one seriously disputing the looming spectrum
crunch, for the sake of meeting the rapidly growing consumer demand for
wireless broadband services, the FCC needs to make it a priority to approve
promptly both the Verizon Wireless-SpectrumCo and T-Mobile-Verizon Wireless spectrum
transactions.
Posts
