Verizon today announced that plans to use the spectrum it acquired in the 700 MHz auction for next-generation 4G wireless services - no huge surprise...

"Verizon paid $9.36 billion to license what it calls 'the FCC-termed' C-block (Verizon and critics used to call it the Google Block after Google pushed for open standards) and 102 individual licenses in the A and B blocks," explains WebProNews' Jason Lee Miller. "The C-block is nationwide, covering every state but Alaska. The company says the spectrum provides a speed and performance advantage to increase the capabilities of next-generation wireless devices, including wireless phones, medical devices, and gaming consoles."

"The company views the C block, a nationwide chunk of licenses subject to so-called 'open access' rules, as a way to 'supercharge' its strategy for rolling out a fourth-generation (4G) network using long-term evolution (LTE) technology," writes CNET's Anne Broache.

More here from InformationWeek ... more here from WirelessWeek ... more here from the AP ... more here from Silicon Alley Insider ... more here from ZDNet ... more here from TelecomTiger ... more here from Reuters ... more here from MobileBurn ... and the press release is here.