CCA Commends FCC for Asking Verizon to Provide Additional Details on 700 MHz Holdings and Cable Deals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lucy Tutwiler
May 15, 2012 (202) 449-9866
CCA Commends FCC for Asking Verizon to Provide Additional Details on 700 MHz Holdings and Cable Deals
Washington, DC – Today, Rick Kaplan, Chief of the Federal Communications Commission Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, sent a letter to Verizon asking the company to provide additional details on its contingent plans to sell its Lower 700 MHz A and B block spectrum licenses. CCA – The Competitive Carriers Association commends the Wireless Bureau for their action, as CCA has called on the Commission to require Verizon to provide additional information on the sale of its 700 MHz licenses.
In a statement, CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “I am very pleased the Commission is asking Verizon for details regarding its plans to use and the contingent sale of Lower 700 MHz A and B block spectrum. Verizon’s apparent willingness to sell its Lower 700 MHz licenses is proof positive that the company has been warehousing spectrum to the detriment of consumers and competitive carriers.”
“By hoarding this valuable 700 MHz spectrum, Verizon has been able to prevent other competitors from deploying 4G LTE and frustrate interoperability in the 700 MHz band, ultimately harming consumers and the American economy – both of which would greatly benefit from the full utilization of the spectrum. I am very pleased the FCC is asking these important questions. Verizon’s response should help the FCC evaluate the harms in Verizon’s proposed deals with the cable companies and support CCA’s call for competitive conditions to include significant divestiture of LTE-ready spectrum to spectrum-starved operators and interoperability. I look forward to our continued work with the Commission to restore a competitive wireless industry.”
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.
