SBA Tower Deal Twists Wireless M&A in 2012

With wireless spectrum assets still up for grabs and complicated by antitrust considerations, expect a continued land grab for the tower and DAS infrastructure to service national carriers' wireless networks. For American Tower, Crown Castle, it might lead to a continued revival in deals to bolster U.S. assets after a wave of acquisitions in the mid-2000s.

Meanwhile, for T-Mobile, one of the crown jewels of the U.S. wireless market, a tower sale could have big implications on whether it prepares to ratchet up the competition against Sprint, AT&T and Verizon, or if it looks for a much rumored partner or buyer.

For more on the wireless industry, see why AT&T is still hungry for more spectrum and why Verizon is the next antitrust target in regulators minds. For more on M&A, see 5 deal ready stocks loved by hedge funds.

-- Written by Antoine Gara in New York