The Federal Communications Commission approved Verizon Communications’s acquisition of cellular, AWS-1, AWS-3, and PCS spectrum licenses from Array Digital Infrastructure, concluding that the transaction is unlikely to harm competition and will improve Verizon’s 4G and 5G network capacity, coverage, and performance. The order covers licenses in 618 counties across 19 states, representing about 8% of the U.S. population.
The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau found that the spectrum-only transaction did not trigger the agency’s overall spectrum screen, although it did trigger enhanced review in 98 local markets due to Verizon’s below-1-GHz holdings. The FCC concluded that competitive risks remain low because multiple nationwide operators continue to hold significant low-band and mid-band spectrum in the affected markets. Verizon would acquire up to 25 MHz of cellular spectrum, 20 MHz of AWS-1, 10 MHz of AWS-3, and 20 MHz of PCS spectrum. Post-transaction, Verizon could hold as much as 372 MHz of spectrum in certain markets, including up to 72 MHz of low-band spectrum.
The FCC rejected petitions filed by the Rural Wireless Association, Public Knowledge, the Open Technology Institute, and the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, which argued the transaction would increase spectrum concentration and reduce competition following UScellular’s exit from the wireless market. The agency stated it had already addressed broader concerns tied to UScellular’s market exit during prior reviews of transactions involving T-Mobile and AT&T. The FCC also declined requests for conditions related to roaming, handset unlocking, labor protections, and spectrum divestitures.
The FCC said Verizon demonstrated credible public interest benefits, including improved rural coverage, increased network capacity, better indoor performance, and faster deployment of additional 4G and 5G services using the acquired spectrum. The applicants also filed short-term spectrum leases so Verizon can begin using portions of the spectrum immediately while the assignments close.
• Verizon acquires cellular, AWS-1, AWS-3, and PCS licenses in 618 counties across 19 states
• Transaction covers portions of 140 Cellular Market Areas (CMAs)
• Verizon could hold up to 372 MHz of spectrum post-transaction in certain markets
• FCC enhanced review applied in 98 CMAs due to low-band spectrum concentration
• FCC determined competitive harm is unlikely because AT&T and T-Mobile maintain substantial spectrum holdings in affected markets
• Array, formerly UScellular, now operates primarily as a tower infrastructure company with approximately 4,450 towers
• FCC denied all petitions to deny and approved the transaction effective immediately
Joel Taubenblatt, Chief of the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, wrote that the transaction would “enable Verizon Wireless to provide a better overall experience to its customers, including by improving its network to better serve increasing customer demand, enhancing coverage in rural areas and indoor environments, increasing network capacity and offered speeds.”
| Profile: Verizon Acquisition of Array Spectrum Assets | |
|---|---|
| Buyer | Verizon Wireless (Cellco Partnership) |
| Seller | Array Digital Infrastructure Inc. (formerly UScellular) |
| Transaction Value | Approximately $1.0 billion in cash |
| Transaction Announcement | Originally announced October 2024 by UScellular |
| FCC Approval Date | May 14, 2026 |
| FCC Proceeding | WT Docket No. 25-192 |
| Applications Filed | April 1, 2025 |
| Transaction Scope | Spectrum-only acquisition; no wireless subscribers, retail operations, or network infrastructure included |
| Spectrum Bands Acquired | Cellular, AWS-1, AWS-3, and PCS licenses |
| Spectrum Assets Included | • 663 million MHz-POPs of Cellular spectrum • 11 million MHz-POPs of AWS spectrum • 19 million MHz-POPs of PCS spectrum |
| Maximum Spectrum Acquired | • Up to 25 MHz Cellular • Up to 20 MHz AWS-1 • Up to 10 MHz AWS-3 • Up to 20 MHz PCS |
| Markets Covered | 618 counties across 19 states |
| Cellular Market Areas (CMAs) | 140 CMAs |
| Population Covered | Approximately 8% of the U.S. population |
| Post-Transaction Verizon Holdings | Up to 372 MHz total spectrum in certain markets, including up to 72 MHz below 1 GHz |
| Enhanced FCC Review | Triggered in 98 CMAs due to below-1-GHz spectrum concentration |
| FCC Competitive Finding | FCC determined likelihood of competitive harm is low |
| Public Interest Benefits Cited | • Improved 4G and 5G coverage • Increased network capacity • Faster mobile broadband speeds • Better indoor coverage performance • Expanded rural connectivity |
| Strategic Rationale | Verizon gains additional low-band and mid-band spectrum to strengthen 5G coverage, rural propagation, fixed wireless access (FWA), and overall network capacity in regional markets |
| Array Background | UScellular changed its name to Array Digital Infrastructure after selling its wireless operations to T-Mobile on August 1, 2025 |
| Array Tower Portfolio | Approximately 4,450 towers; currently the fifth-largest tower company in the United States |
| Related UScellular Transactions | • T-Mobile acquired most UScellular wireless operations and customers in 2025 • AT&T acquired additional Array low-band and 3.45 GHz spectrum assets in January 2026 |
| Key FCC Outcome | FCC rejected all petitions to deny and approved the transaction effective immediately |
🌐 Analysis: The approval continues the multi-stage breakup of UScellular’s wireless spectrum and operating assets following the company’s 2025 exit from retail mobile operations. T-Mobile acquired UScellular’s customers and major wireless operations last year, while AT&T separately acquired additional low-band and 3.45 GHz spectrum assets earlier this year. Verizon’s transaction focuses on filling spectrum gaps in regional markets rather than acquiring subscribers or infrastructure.
🌐 Analysis: The FCC’s decision also signals continued regulatory support for spectrum consolidation among nationwide carriers when transactions involve spectrum-only transfers rather than direct customer acquisitions. The order repeatedly references upcoming AWS-3 and Upper C-band auctions, indicating the agency views future spectrum availability as an offset to concerns about concentration among the three nationwide operators.
