As expected, the US Federal Communications Commission approved four spectrum transactions involving US number one operator Verizon Wireless, “subject to a number of binding commitments and conditions”.

The watchdog said it had worked with the US Department of Justice, which had already revealed its opinions, on its investigation of transactions including Cox Communications, SpectrumCo, Leap Wireless and T-Mobile USA.

In terms of the spectrum allocations, it noted that Verizon “undertook an unprecedented divestiture of spectrum to a competitor, T-Mobile”, and now the regulators have imposed “enforceable commitments” related to use of newly-acquired frequencies, and called for data roaming on “commercially reasonable terms and conditions”.

With regard to its relationship with the cable companies involved in the transaction, it was also said a condition is in place which “preserves Verizon’s incentives to build out FiOS”, its fibre network.

It also contains provisions to ensure that a technology joint venture is “pro-consumer”, and that “its products cannot be used in anticompetitive ways, and protects and potentially enhances wireless competition”.

Verizon announced deals with SpectrumCo (a venture of Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks), Leap Wireless, and Cox Communications. It has also announced a complex agreement with T-Mobile USA, which will see the companies swapping spectrum in some markets, and with each partner gaining allocations in specific markets (T-Mobile is the biggest gainer).

Verizon has already said it will sell some of its 700MHz spectrum holdings when the current deals go ahead – with reports stating it has already been in contact with 36 interested parties.