FCC demands more data from Verizon over spectrum swap
updated 07:55 pm EST, Thu March 8, 2012
Commission scrutinizes $3.9 billion deal
The Federal Communications Commission has reportedly demanded additional information from Verizon and several cable companies, as part of an ongoing investigation into an AWS spectrum licensing deal. The Commission just days ago was asked to scrutinize the proposal, in a letter authored by Verizon competitors T-Mobile and DirecTV, among others.
The deal would transfer wireless spectrum to Verizon from a number of cable companies, including Comcast and Time Warner. Terms of the transfer are said to include a $3.9 billion payout and an agreement over marketing collaboration.
The FCC is reportedly investigating the swap to determine if the deal may be anti-competitive, while the Justice Department is said to be also considering the potential impact from the marketing agreement.
Regulators have yet to make official statements in support of or opposition to the proposal. [via Wall Street Journal (sub. required)]
