Verizon Communications Inc. said Tuesday it has no need to make
large spectrum acquisitions after winning $10.4 billion of licenses
in a U.S. auction of wireless licenses that closed last month.
Verizon's haul came in third behind rival AT&T Inc. and
wireless newcomer Dish Network Corp., prompting speculation it may
need to do a deal to bulk up its holdings of airwaves.
Verizon said it has no need to make a large purchase in the near
term. The company said it might look at opportunities to buy
spectrum when it comes available in the secondary market, but said
it would focus on technology that makes more efficient use of
spectrum given the soaring cost.
The company said it would also consider leasing spectrum from
others, and it would keep an eye on the 2.5 gigahertz airwaves
Sprint Corp. has said it has thought about selling. Verizon said it
would also look to making use of unlicensed spectrum--airwaves that
are open to all users.
The most recent U.S. auction drew a record of nearly $45 billion
in bids, more than double the result of the last big auction in
2008. The results highlighted the rising demand for spectrum as
wireless Internet traffic soars and new bidders like Dish enter the
fray.
Write to Ryan Knutson at ryan.knutson@wsj.com
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