Mapping the Aftermath: Carolina West Deal Sets Up Next Spectrum Moves for AT&T and T-Mobile

On August 31, 2026 , Verizon applications to acquire Carolina West’s subscribers and spectrum were accepted for processing at the FCC.  The full transaction includes Cellular, PCS, AWS-1, 700MHz, CBRS, C-band, 3.45GHz, and EBS whitespace licenses.

The mix of these licenses would indicate that future assignments to T-Mobile and AT&T are likely.  

AT&T is probably eyeing the 700MHz licenses since they are the lower 700MHz band licenses versus the upper 700MHz licenses that Verizon already controls.  AT&T’s super majority ownership of the 3.45GHz band would indicate that they will target that band as well.

The EBS whitespace licenses likely fall into T-Mobile’s exclusive interest but there may be contention with AT&T for the 600MHz spectrum which we will examine below.

Current 600MHz Licenses and Spectrum Depth:

The maps below illustrate the total MHz of 600MHz held by each carrier.  It is important to note the legends with each map.  The red legend indicates 10MHz of spectrum for both AT&T and Carolina West, but it represents 40MHz of spectrum for T-Mobile.  Each of these maps are centered on the North Carolina state boundaries. 

Carolina West

T-Mobile

AT&T:

Current License Summary:

Clearly AT&T has the larger need for additional spectrum in North Carolina.

 

Adjacent, Isolated, or Swap Analysis:

For this analysis we are going to look at the 600MHz channels that Carolina West currently owns with respect to the channels that T-Mobile and AT&T control.   Because of T-Mobile's dominance in the band, we want to determine if an AT&T purchase of Carolina West's spectrum would be adjacent to their current holdings so they could combine the spectrum into a larger channel.  If Carolina West's spectrum is not adjacent to AT&T's spectrum we would consider it isolated, meaning AT&T will have to operate the two spectrum blocks as separate channels.  In these cases we don't consider AT&T and T-Mobile swapping licenses unless T-Mobile is able to gain consolidate licenses into a larger channel.  In all of the North Carolina PEA markets T-Mobile's spectrum is already consolidated into a single block. 

Adjacent and Isolated Markets:

Lenoir NC PEA:

In this market AT&T already owns two isolated channels.  Adding Carolina West's spectrum will increase the channel size for one channel but the other channel remains isolated.

Isolated Markets:

Hickory, NC PEA:

In this market Carolina West's spectrum will be isolated from AT&T's spectrum.  Since T-Mobile's spectrum is already consolidated, it is doubtful they would channel swap if AT&T bought Carolina West's spectrum in this market.

Salisbury, NC PEA:

In this market Carolina West's spectrum will be isolated from AT&T's spectrum.  Since T-Mobile's spectrum is already consolidated, it is doubtful they would channel swap if AT&T bought Carolina West's spectrum in this market.

Shelby, NC PEA:

In this market Carolina West's spectrum will be isolated from AT&T's spectrum.  Since T-Mobile's spectrum is already consolidated, it is doubtful they would channel swap if AT&T bought Carolina West's spectrum in this market.

Franklin, NC PEA:

In this market Carolina West's spectrum will be isolated from AT&T's spectrum.  Since T-Mobile's spectrum is already consolidated, it is doubtful they would channel swap if AT&T bought Carolina West's spectrum in this market.

 

Swap:

Asheville, NC PEA:

In this market T-Mobile's spectrum is already in two blocks so if AT&T purchased Carolina West's spectrum they would be willing to swap spectrum to provide AT&T with a 10MHz block and T-Mobile a 25MHz block.

Lexington, NC PEA:

In this market T-Mobile's spectrum is already in two blocks so if AT&T purchased Carolina West's spectrum they would be willing to swap spectrum to provide AT&T with a 10MHz block and T-Mobile a 25MHz block.

Marion, NC PEA:

In this market T-Mobile's spectrum is already in two blocks so if AT&T purchased Carolina West's spectrum they would be willing to swap spectrum to provide AT&T with a 10MHz block and T-Mobile a 25MHz block.

Mount Airy NC PEA:

In this market T-Mobile's spectrum is already in two blocks so if AT&T purchased Carolina West's spectrum they would be willing to swap spectrum to provide AT&T with a 15MHz block and T-Mobile a 20MHz block.