Conditions on Verizon/Cable Deals will Benefit Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                      Contact: Lucy Tutwiler
August 23, 2012                                                                                                                            (202) 449-9866

Conditions on Verizon/Cable Deals will Benefit Competition

Washington, DC – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) released an order approving the Verizon / Cable deals, while also imposing conditions on the approved deals.  While the conditions do not go far enough, CCA – The Competitive Carriers Association is pleased with the FCC’s decision to condition the transactions, particularly the conditions on data roaming and spectrum divestiture. 

 “I am pleased with the FCC’s decision to impose conditions on the Verizon/SpectrumCo transactions and encouraged that the FCC recognized the importance of interoperability on future deployment of mobile broadband service.  While I am disappointed the FCC did not ensure additional spectrum divestiture, the approval of the T-Mobile divestiture is significant for competitive carriers  and I hope that more competitive carriers will have access to interoperable spectrum going forward. I am also disappointed the FCC did not impose an interoperability condition on these transactions; however, I am extremely pleased the Commission has agreed to closely examine any actions taken that may have the potential to thwart interoperability.

Berry continued, “Data roaming is a huge issue for our members, and I am pleased with the FCC’s decision to include a data roaming condition.  We have been and continue to be supportive of the FCC’s Data Roaming Order, which will bring significant benefits to consumers and promote competition, and we remain hopeful that the U.S. District Court of Appeals will support the FCC in their authority to implement the Order.  The Data Roaming Order provides a good regulatory backstop for negotiating roaming agreements, and CCA plans to continue to pursue business alternatives for 4G and WiFi roaming.” 

“I thank the FCC for recognizing the need to condition the Verizon/SpectrumCo transactions. Competition is key to a healthy, wireless marketplace, and I look forward to our continued work on data roaming, interoperability and ensuring competitive carriers have access to usable spectrum.” 

About CCA

CCA is the nation’s leading association for competitive wireless providers serving rural and regional areas of the United States. The licensed service area of CCA’s more than 100 members covers 95 percent of the nation.