The Federal Communications Commission frequently requires the sale or divestiture of assets as a condition to approving deals they find raise competitive concerns.
Verizon Wireless' $3.6 billion acquisition of 122 spectrum licenses from cable companies may fit the bill. A "source close to the process" told The New York Post that Verizon Wireless must sell spectrum in 12 markets to complete the controversial deal.
VzW will likely need to sell spectrum in the Washington, D.C., to New York City corridor, the source told the Post.
The FCC and U.S. Department of Justice are both analyzing the spectrum sale between Verizon and a consortium consisting of Comcast, Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable. The spectrum licenses cover 120 markets.
Some critics of the deal contend the spectrum sale is just one piece of a complicated and potentially dangerous transaction that could undermine competition.
