T-Mobile US has reached an agreement with Comcast to lease and potentially acquire Comcast’s spectrum licenses in the 600 MHz band. The deal, depending on T-Mobile’s ultimate decision on spectrum purchase, is valued between $1.2 billion and $3.3 billion. Quarterly lease payments will be made by T-Mobile to Comcast until the purchase is finalized.
Comcast has stated that it is “unlikely” to require the 600 MHz spectrum due to successful 5G network field tests using CBRS spectrum. They have found this band to be highly efficient in building a 5G network. As a result, Comcast has entered into an agreement with T-Mobile to lease and, eventually, sell their licenses.
During the deal, Comcast will continue testing the 600 MHz spectrum in Philadelphia, and they retain the option to reclaim their spectrum licenses if they change their plans.
T-Mobile launched its low band 600 MHz 5G network in 2019, which the company considers to be the first nationwide 5G network in the United States. In September of the previous year, T-Mobile had reached a $3.5 billion agreement with Colombia Capital for the 600 MHz spectrum.
For more information on the spectrum market in the United States, attend the Connected America conference on March 12-13, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.
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