Congress let the FCC spectrum auction/allocation authority expire in 2023. So the FCC is unable to allocate new spectrum licenses to carriers. Even the spectrum that was already auctioned has been in limbo.
That makes transfer/sale of existing licenses the only path to acquisition, which significantly raises the prospective value of those assets.
T-Mobile doesn’t want their customers or their infrastructure. They want the spectrum. And because Congress is sitting on their hands, US Cellular is able to demand a higher premium now than they likely ever would again.
That’s not why they’re selling.
Congress let the FCC spectrum auction/allocation authority expire in 2023. So the FCC is unable to allocate new spectrum licenses to carriers. Even the spectrum that was already auctioned has been in limbo.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/wireless-providers-others-disagree-on-allocating-spectrum-without-auction-authority/
That makes transfer/sale of existing licenses the only path to acquisition, which significantly raises the prospective value of those assets.
T-Mobile doesn’t want their customers or their infrastructure. They want the spectrum. And because Congress is sitting on their hands, US Cellular is able to demand a higher premium now than they likely ever would again.