The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has requested Verizon Wireless and several cable companies provide more information concerning the proposed US$3.9 billion sale of spectrum licences.

According to The Wall Street Journal the FCC has sent a letter to Verizon Wireless requesting information about Verizon’s LTE deployment schedule, use of other spectrum it holds and how the acquired airwaves will fit into its broader network plans. The cable companies have been sent similar letters related to the transaction.

Verizon Wireless is looking to acquire the licences from SpectrumCo, a joint venture of cable companies Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks, in a deal first announced in December.

The FCC launched an investigation into the transaction in February following opposition from US operators T-Mobile USA, Sprint Nextel and MetroPCS, the Rural Telecommunications Group and the Rural Cellular Association and satellite broadcaster DirecTV.

An FCC spokesman told The Wall Street Journal that the agency was also interested in how the joint marketing agreements between the operator and cable companies, announced at the same time as the propose spectrum acquisition, will impact competition in the wireless, broadband and pay TV sectors.

The US Justice Department is also investigating the competitive impact of the spectrum sale and marketing agreements.

A Verizon spokesman told The Wall Street Journal that as the spectrum in question was previously unused, it is in the public interest for consumers to make use of it. The company is confident that the FCC will approve the deal within the standard review period.