AT&T closed a $1.018 billion cash transaction on January 13, 2026 to acquire a portfolio of mid‑band spectrum licenses from Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. The deal includes a portion of 700 MHz band spectrum valued at $232 million, adding valuable capacity for the company’s 5G network across the United States.
The acquisition is a key component of AT&T’s broader strategy to strengthen its 5G footprint. Mid‑band spectrum offers a balance of coverage and capacity that is essential for delivering high‑speed, low‑latency services, and the new licenses complement the larger $23 billion EchoStar spectrum deal announced in August 2025. By expanding its spectrum holdings, AT&T positions itself to capture greater market share in the competitive 5G landscape.
Array Digital Infrastructure’s sale is part of a broader monetization strategy following its earlier divestiture of spectrum to T‑Mobile. The company’s board declared a special cash dividend of $10.25 per share immediately after the closing, returning capital to shareholders. The transaction involved no deferred consideration, meaning Array received the full $1.018 billion in cash at closing.
Array CEO Anthony Carlson said the company was pleased with the value realized and would continue to return value to shareholders. While AT&T’s leadership did not issue a separate statement, the purchase underscores the carrier’s commitment to investing in network infrastructure to support future 5G deployments.
No market reaction data were available at the time of the announcement, and the transaction is distinct from the larger EchoStar deal, underscoring its specific focus on mid‑band spectrum assets.
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