T-Mobile and Leap Wireless have announced a plan to exchange spectrum in several markets around the US to improve coverage for both carriers. The spectrum swap also includes Leap receiving spectrum in Phoenix, Houston, Galveston, and Bryan College Station. T-Mobile will receive spectrum in various markets throughout Alabama, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. T-Mobile and Leap will also exchange spectrum with Cook Inlet, a joint venture T-Mobile has a non-controlling majority stake within the markets of Philadelphia, Wilmington, Atlantic City and other markets in Texas and New Mexico.
“These transactions will enhance our spectrum depth in these markets and provide us longer term flexibility to offer a larger LTE channel,” said Leap CEO Doug Hutcheson. “In addition the transactions will allow us to re-align spectrum in key markets into contiguous channels thereby optimizing our delivery of wireless services.”