Verizon Wireless has signed deals with tower companies Crown Castle and SBA Communications to help speed up the deployment of C-band equipment in preparation for its launch of 5G Ultra Wideband and fixed-wireless broadband services using the new spectrum. Verizon secured an average of 161MHz of C-band spectrum nationwide in the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction.
Both tower companies already host Verizon equipment, but new basebands and antennas will need to be placed on the existing towers in order to make use of the spectrum. As such, both agreements have established terms for leasing space on existing towers for C-band equipment. In addition, Verizon notes that the deals will see a reduction in paperwork and a minimisation of legal reviews.