WASHINGTON—The wireless industry will need to consolidate to bring high-speed data rates to wireless customers and the lifting of the spectrum cap will help that, said Ivan Seidenberg, co-chief executive officer of Verizon Communications Inc.
The cap limits the amount of spectrum a carrier can control in an area to 55 megahertz. It was recently raised from 45 megahertz in urban areas. The cap is set to be eliminated on Jan. 1, 2003.
Seidenberg made his comments during a question and answer session following a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He declined to comment on the recent failed settlement deal to end the bankruptcy of NextWave Telecom Inc. Verizon Wireless had been the top bidder for a portion of NextWave’s PCS licenses when the Federal Communications Commission re-auctioned them a year ago. Earlier this month, Verizon Wireless asked the FCC to return its $1.6 billion deposit.
