The Rural Wireless Association (RWA) has formally urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny the proposed Verizon-UScellular deal, warning that the transaction threatens rural wireless competition and consumer choice.
In a filing submitted Monday, the trade group called on the FCC to reject Verizon and UScellular’s request for license transfer approval. The RWA highlighted concerns that the deal would result in excessive concentration of critical low-band spectrum, leading to higher mobile wireless rates for consumers and the elimination of UScellular as a competitive force and dependable roaming partner in rural areas.
“RWA urges the FCC to kill the Verizon-UScellular deal to protect rural consumers, preserve competition, and ensure continued access to vital wireless services,” said the association. The group further emphasized that if the FCC proceeds, it must impose strong, enforceable conditions to safeguard competition and protect rural carriers’ ability to serve their communities effectively.
Among the conditions recommended, the RWA calls for Verizon to divest UScellular licenses in markets where it would otherwise control all 850 MHz spectrum. The FCC should also require Verizon to establish reciprocal roaming agreements with regional and rural carriers and implement seamless VoLTE handovers at network boundaries, ensuring uninterrupted voice services across carrier networks.
The RWA also urged the FCC to review all pending UScellular transactions involving T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon collectively to understand the full impact on the wireless market.
T-Mobile announced plans in May 2024 to acquire UScellular’s wireless business for $4.4 billion, including approximately 30% of UScellular’s spectrum assets and a license granting access to over 2,000 towers. Remaining spectrum assets are slated for sale to AT&T and Verizon.
Public interest groups have expressed concern that allowing the three largest mobile carriers to absorb a key regional competitor could harm competition and rural service options.
Despite these warnings, a multiagency group led by the White House, known as Team Telecom, informed the FCC on June 20 that it had cleared the spectrum license transfer to T-Mobile.
Verizon and UScellular have not provided comments on the matter.
