[telecom] T-Mobile likely to end attempt to block Verizon spectrum purchase

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T-Mobile likely to end attempt to block Verizon spectrum purchase

Spectrum and cash swap allay T-Mobile's antitrust concerns.

by Jon Brodkin Ars Technica June 25 2012

When Verizon Wireless struck a deal to buy new spectrum for $3.6 billion, T-Mobile USA was the first to ask the government to block the sale. Verizon's purchase of airwaves from SpectrumCo, a joint venture of Comcast, Time Warner, and Bright House, raised antitrust concerns because the spectrum was needed more by smaller competitors who would "use it more quickly, more intensively, and more efficiently," T-Mobile said in February.

But this morning, Verizon announced a deal that seems all but certain to end T-Mobile's opposition. The companies will trade spectrum and cash, with the deal being contingent on the approval of Verizon's purchase of licenses from SpectrumCo, Cox, and Leap Wireless.

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