T-Mobile is strengthening its spectrum holdings by acquiring 600MHz airwaves from Comcast in a deal valued at up to $3.3 billion.
Comcast announced the agreement in a company blog post, explaining that its changing network strategy and strong performance from alternative bands reduced the need to retain its 600MHz licenses. As a result, Comcast decided to lease those licenses to T-Mobile under terms that include quarterly payments and a final payout that could total roughly $3.3 billion.
Previously, Comcast had planned to use 600MHz spectrum to support a 5G rollout for Xfinity Mobile and had also experimented with Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the 3.5GHz range. After extensive field testing, Comcast reported that CBRS performed beyond expectations and proved to be an efficient and valuable component for 5G deployments.
Tom Nagel, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Development for Wireless at Comcast, said the strong CBRS results convinced the company that it is unlikely to require the 600MHz licenses it currently holds to support its wireless customers. With that assessment, Comcast opted to lease the 600MHz spectrum to T-Mobile while preserving the option to reclaim some airwaves in the future if operational needs change.
The agreement is documented in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which notes that closing the transaction requires Federal Communications Commission approval and is expected to be finalized by 2028.
For T-Mobile, acquiring additional 600MHz spectrum is strategically important. The carrier first launched a low-band 600MHz 5G network in 2019 to improve coverage across wide areas of the United States. Additional holdings in this band will help T-Mobile extend its 5G footprint, enhance in-building coverage and bolster service performance in densely populated metropolitan markets.
This transaction highlights how operators are adapting spectrum strategies as network technologies evolve. Low-band frequencies like 600MHz remain valuable for wide-area coverage, while mid-band assets such as CBRS can deliver capacity and performance that reshape deployment choices. By leasing spectrum rather than selling it outright, Comcast retains flexibility while T-Mobile gains capacity to support its continued 5G expansion.
The deal underscores ongoing industry dynamics where carriers evaluate a mix of licensed and shared spectrum to meet growing consumer and business demand for wireless data. Regulatory approval and industry developments over the next few years will determine how these holdings are deployed and how they influence competitive positioning and service quality across the market.
(Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash)
See also: Ofcom: Over half of UK can access full-fibre, mobile coverage steady
Looking to revamp your digital transformation strategy? Learn more about Digital Transformation Week taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London.
Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge.