Verizon Wireless Buys Qwest's Wireless Assets

Since Qwest re-launched its wireless service as an MVNO using Sprint's network, the question has lingered over what was to become of Qwest's wireless network assets, including spectrum, cell sites, and equipment. The answer came today, as Verizon Wireless announced the purchase of all the former Qwest wireless assets. The $418M purchase (of which spectrum is the biggest prize) will give Verizon wireless increased capacity in 14 Western states, and also offer them to offer service to 1.5M people for the first time. Our observation is that VZW may use the un-loaded spectrum as part of its national EV-DO rollout, since DO requires designating a portion of a carrier's spectrum for EV-DO mobile data, which typically has to be taken away from voice.