Verizon Wireless is confident it won't need to spend billions on spectrum after dumping $10.4 billion into the recent AWS-3 spectrum auction.

That's according to Verizon's chief technology officer Tony Malone, who said "Entering the auction, there were no markets where we felt compelled to acquire spectrum."

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Verizon already had 70 percent of the markets covered but wanted over 40MHz in 90 percent of markets, something the $10.4 billion acquisition of spectrum helped towards.

"We have significantly improved our AWS spectrum position, now having 40 megahertz or more in 92 of the top 100 markets," said Melone in a recent investors call.

It will now use available spectrum and technology to make data speeds even faster through LTE to voice without having to spend another dime on low or high-band spectrum.

Verizon is the first carrier to announce it's satisfied. On the other hand, T-Mobile USA and AT&T both continue to spend and ask the Federal Communication Commission for more spectrum space.

AT&T spent $18.2 billion on AWS-3 spectrum in the recent auction, nearly doubling Verizon's investment. Dish Network also spent $13.3 billion but might gain 25 percent tax credits if the FCC approves of the spectrum acquisition.

Having this huge amount of spectrum could be lucrative in the long term, especially when Sprint, T-Mobile and any newcomer wants access to a national reserve of mobile internet.

It's questionable how much this will matter if the FCC reclassifies wireless carriers under Title II common carrier, which may mean Verizon's spectrum will be shared amongst other carriers for a cheaper price.

Verizon's stepping out of the spectrum war might give T-Mobile USA more of a chance to buy spectrum in the upcoming auctions. AT&T, however, hasn't declared its own resignation from the battle, keen on acquiring more spectrum.

TagsU.S. spectrum, Verizon wireless, wireless carriers, FCC, AT&T