Currently, T-Mobile is passing regulatory scrutiny over the $4.4 billion purchase of US Cellular’s stores, customers, and cellular network. The carrier, however, kept nearly 70% of its spectrum holdings and is now selling them to the highest bidder.
We are pleased with the significant value that will be realized in the various transactions recently announced. This agreement adds a fourth mobile network operator, in addition to T-Mobile, to the list of those whose subscribers will benefit from the sale of our spectrum licenses. As with the other mobile network operators, we are confident that AT&T can put it to productive use in communities throughout the U.S. Furthermore, the terms of the agreement will ensure that there will be continued, uninterrupted service for UScellular customers in the interim.
Laurent C. Therivel, President and CEO of US Cellular, November ’24
TDS, the big US Cellular shareholder, has already approved the sale, but the deal with AT&T will only go through if T-Mobile closes its acquisition and US Cellular manages to acquire some of the purchased spectrum licenses from a third party owner.
Verizon already bought $1 billion worth of spectrum licenses in the 850 MHz band, as well as Advanced Wireless Services in the 695–2200 MHz range and Personal Communications Services (PCS) bands in the 1850–1995 MHz spectrum.
