On November 20, 2020, the Commission released a Public Notice establishing the pleading cycle after Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon”) and Bluegrass Cellular Inc. (together with its affiliates “Bluegrass”) filed applications seeking to assign 600 MHz, 700 MHz, Cellular, Personal Communications Service (“PCS”), Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (“UMFUS”), and common carrier fixed point-to-point microwave licenses held by Bluegrass to Verizon (WT Docket No. 20-387).
Petitions to deny are due December 10, 2020.
Oppositions are due December 21, 2020.
Replies are due December 29, 2020.
The subject licenses cover portions of Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee. Verizon is also acquiring 220,000 wireless subscribers from Bluegrass and substantially all of Bluegrass’s network assets and facilities. Verizon and Bluegrass (together the “Applicants”) state that the transaction will allow Verizon to expand its service into parts of these markets for the first time and provide additional spectrum capacity in remaining areas to help meet customer needs. The Applicants state there will be no loss or reduction in service for Bluegrass customers and customers.
Verizon would acquire an additional 10 megahertz to 74 megahertz of low- and mid-band spectrum in 68 counties. After the transaction, Verizon would hold a maximum of 161 megahertz of spectrum, including up to 81 megahertz of below-1-GHz spectrum in certain areas. Verizon would also acquire 200 to 1,150 megahertz of millimeter-wave spectrum across parts of the counties, and would hold between 1,300 to 2,150 megahertz of millimeter-wave spectrum across all or parts of the Cellular Market Areas (“CMAs”).
This proceeding will be governed by permit-but-disclose ex parte procedures that are applicable to non-restricted proceedings under section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules.
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