Verizon in January activated its C-Band spectrum, won at auction in 2021, and immediately covered 100 million people with mid-band 5G. The year-end goal is to expand that coverage number to 175 million. And now, based on agreements that accelerate clearing of C-Band, Verizon is adding coverage this year in major metro markets, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver and Washington D.C.
Before being re-allocated for 5G mobile services by the FCC, C-Band was the domain of satellite operators. Phase 1 of the clearing process covered 46 partial economic areas. SES, a Luxembourg-based firm specialized in “global content connectivity solutions,” said in a press release it will earn $170 million from Verizon by accelerating Phase 2 clearing against a Dec. 5, 2023 deadline.
