Verizon wants more spectrum for you

That’s Verizon’s version of the story, anyway, revealed a recent letter filed with the Federal Communications Commission. Verizon says getting more spectrum, the pipes that carry our wireless data, is nearing critical stages in some areas of the country. The Wall Street Journal is reporting: “Verizon ‘faces spectrum constraints in its network in some areas as early as 2013 and in many more by 2015,’ according to the filing.” After its failed merger with T-Mobile last year, which would have yielded a spectrum bonanza, Verizon decided to buy some of this wireless “gold” from a few cable companies who conveniently had some lying around, unused.

Reactions from just about every other wireless carrier are most definitely on the other side of the (ahem) spectrum. If the FCC approves the Verizon sale, along with upcoming spectrum auctions that were promised as part of the just-passed payroll tax cut extension, other carriers fear Verizon’s number one status will put a strangle hold on the rest, further hurting you, dear readers, in the pocketbook.