The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Verizon’s USD 1 billion deal, signed in 2024, to acquire some spectrum assets from US Cellular to expand its network capacity and coverage.
In 2025, after T-Mobile acquired most of US Cellular’s wireless operations and 30% of its wireless spectrum in a USD 4.4 billion deal, the remainder of the company changed its name to Array Digital Infrastructure. Post-FCC approval, the acquired spectrum assets from US Cellular will enhance Verizon Wireless’ network coverage, capacity and performance, resulting in a stronger ability to meet increasing customer demand and provide a better customer experience.
Kathy Grillo, Verizon’s public policy and government affairs senior vice president, while welcoming the FCC’s approval, said, “The additional spectrum will allow us to better serve our customers as we continue to bolster our already-robust network.”
The news regarding Verizon comes amid the FCC’s renewed efforts to approve a number of spectrum transactions even as it looks to take the auction route for allotting additional wireless spectrum, with the goal of addressing the rising demand among American consumers and businesses.
As part of the effort, the FCC has already approved EchoStar’s USD 40 billion sale of wireless spectrum to SpaceX and AT&T. With this, the Elon Musk-led venture will now be gaining access to exclusive-use spectrum for a Starlink device-to-device service and other offerings. AT&T’s low-band spectrum will expand coverage across the United States, especially in rural and underserved areas.
“Scale matters a lot in today’s modern connectivity market, and the spectrum is going into the hands of players that are lighting it up, immediately, loading it up, and using it to bridge the digital divide. We’re facilitating as many transactions and auctions as we can do to help make that happen,” said FCC Chairman Brendan Carr during an interview with Reuters.