WASHINGTON, May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Communications Commission today approved rules governing its spectrum screen and the upcoming incentive auction. As part of this two-sided auction, broadcasters will have an opportunity to relinquish spectrum, which will then be put out for bid. The following statement should be attributed to Craig Silliman, Verizon senior vice president, public policy:

"We are pleased that today's order aligns the FCC's spectrum screen with current marketplace realities. For far too long, the screen has been woefully under-inclusive. By counting all providers' broadband spectrum equally, the FCC's decision will help ensure that all carriers have the opportunity to acquire the spectrum necessary to serve their customers.

"We look forward to additional spectrum coming to market to meet consumers' ever expanding demand. The FCC's recent actions to adopt even-handed rules for the upcoming AWS-3 auction together with today's progress on the incentive auction are important steps forward in meeting wireless customers' needs."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 103 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries. A Dow 30 company with more than $120 billion in 2013 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 176,900. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon Communications