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Verizon Outbids AT&T For Nationwide 5G Wireless Spectrum (theverge.com)
Verizon has agreed to pay $3.1 billion for wireless spectrum holder Straight Path Communications, beating out rival AT&T, which had offered to buy Straight Path for $1.6 billion in stock. Verizon's acquisition will give it access to the frequencies necessary to build a 5G network across the U.S. The Verge reports: The news that AT&T was aiming to buy the Glen Allen, VA-based Straight Path was first reported last month, prompting a bidding war between the carriers that the WSJ describes as "unusually intense." Straight Path's purchase gives Verizon access to millimeter wave frequencies that are set to be used by 5G networks across the United States, making it a useful purchase from the start. Experts have also noted that the company's owner may also be afforded even more spectrum in future auctions with the FCC, potentially giving Verizon access to the entire 39GHz band down the line.
Well this all but puts the proverbial gravestone on FIOS expansion
About a year ago we got approached by Straight-Path with a deal. They would give us a pair of 39GHz radios if we would deploy them in this area. Seems no one in this area was using any of their licensed 39GHz spectrum and they were at risk of losing their license due to non-use. It is spectrum that is rather hard to utilize in any area that gets much rain. Links over 1 mile with even 2 foot dishes would drop in even moderate rain (too much absorption), and a wet leaf would almost completely block the signal. This is the reason almost no one in Florida uses this spectrum. I can't imagine what Verizon thinks they can do with it as it's seems useless for providing any kind of cell service. Even if used to back haul point to point links it's range is extremely limited.
We did in the end enter the deal and deploy them on a 300 meter link that has perfect line of sight. At that range they work pretty well.