Verizon Gets Access to Straight Path 5G Spectrum
The FCC Wireless Bureau approved transfer of spectrum licenses from Straight Path Spectrum to Verizon, giving the buyer a larger toehold in the high-frequency spectrum important to 5G. The Competitive Carriers Association sought to block the deal (see 1708110051). The…
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licenses include 735 millimeter wave spectrum licenses in the 39 GHz band, 133 licenses in the local multipoint distribution service bands at 28, 29 and 31 GHz, nine common carrier point-to-point microwave licenses and one nonexclusive nationwide license in the 3650-3700 MHz band. Verizon got Straight Path and the licenses last year after a bidding war with AT&T and needed approval for the license transfers (see 1705170012). “After carefully evaluating the likely public interest effects of the proposed transfer, we find that the likelihood of any public interest harms arising from the transfer is low,” said the order, released Thursday. “Verizon’s post-transaction spectrum holdings across the 28 GHz and 39 GHz bands do not raise particular competitive concerns in light of the current state of the marketplace as well as the recent availability of additional millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum.”