The results of a 600 MHz incentive auction has been declared by the FCC and, a surprising thing is observed. The cellular phone service provider, Verizon, didn’t participate at all! This means that this Government cell phone service firm cannot increase its present coverage with the low-band 600 MHz licenses, which are perfect for reaching inside buildings and covering large geographic areas.
"Verizon cannot comment on the results because the FCC’s mandated quiet period continues to apply until down payments are due, which is not for a couple of weeks," a Verizon spokesman replied when asked why the carrier didn't get any spectrum in the auction. "Verizon is confident, however, in its network position, including its approach to acquiring, managing, and re-framing its spectrum assets to support the network that continues to generate top ratings for customer performance."
Verizon is a well-known Government assisted cell phone company, and its non-participation in the auction is quite surprising. The cellular phone service provider has launched unlimited data plans a few weeks ago that will further affect its wireless network.
"Verizon cannot comment on the results because the FCC’s mandated quiet period continues to apply until down payments are due, which is not for a couple of weeks," a Verizon spokesman replied when asked why the carrier didn't get any spectrum in the auction. "Verizon is confident, however, in its network position, including its approach to acquiring, managing, and re-framing its spectrum assets to support the network that continues to generate top ratings for customer performance."
Verizon is a well-known Government assisted cell phone company, and its non-participation in the auction is quite surprising. The cellular phone service provider has launched unlimited data plans a few weeks ago that will further affect its wireless network.
Till now, Verizon has been a prime participant in every FCC spectrum auction. In 2008’s FCC low-band spectrum auction, the company’s initial LTE network was set up, i.e. 700 MHz C Block spectrum for about $10 billion.
Verizon has spent around $10.4 billion recently on the midband AWS-3 spectrum, which was auctioned by the FCC around three years ago. The carrier further purchased a midband spectrum in 2011 offered by a group of cable operators.
Verizon’s top management chose not to purchase 600 MHz licenses as they have enormous options when it comes to spectrum. For several years, analysts have talked about the possibility of Verizon signing an agreement with Dish Network.
Now, it has become clear that Dish is spending a lot on its spectrum-collection strategy. The company has been doling out more than $6 billion for additional spectrum.
While Dish has given some hint of using its vast spectrum trove to make some kind of internet-of-things network, possibly with the help of NB-IoT network technology. Many industries believe that Dish may ink a spectrum sale or lease an agreement with a company like one of the large cellular phone service providers, i.e. T-Mobile or Verizon.
See Also: Sprint Cuts Price on Unlimited Data Plan
Verizon might not be interested in purchasing low-band spectrum. It has already bought XO Communications to get high-band, millimeter-wave spectrum licenses. This renowned cellular phone service provider has installed fixed 5G equipment in over 10 cities across the country to offer superfast, and short-range wireless connections.
"What is most interesting to us was VZ was nowhere to be found. While it does have a tremendous amount of 700MHz spectrum (upper C block), we continue to believe VZ's interests lay in the higher band spectrum assets (2GHz and higher)," wrote Wells Fargo analyst Jennifer Fritzsche to investors after the FCC’s auction results were out.
Verizon might not require any additional spectrum in the near future. It might move toward C-RAN network architecture and other modern network technologies, such as two- and three-carrier aggregation, MIMO and LTE-Unlicensed.
Verizon might not be interested in purchasing low-band spectrum. It has already bought XO Communications to get high-band, millimeter-wave spectrum licenses. This renowned cellular phone service provider has installed fixed 5G equipment in over 10 cities across the country to offer superfast, and short-range wireless connections.
"What is most interesting to us was VZ was nowhere to be found. While it does have a tremendous amount of 700MHz spectrum (upper C block), we continue to believe VZ's interests lay in the higher band spectrum assets (2GHz and higher)," wrote Wells Fargo analyst Jennifer Fritzsche to investors after the FCC’s auction results were out.
Verizon might not require any additional spectrum in the near future. It might move toward C-RAN network architecture and other modern network technologies, such as two- and three-carrier aggregation, MIMO and LTE-Unlicensed.
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