The Federal Communications Commission cleared the way for T-Mobile USA to receive about $1 billion in wireless airwaves it is owed as part of the breakup fee for AT&T Inc.'s failed $39 billion takeover bid.

T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG, has slated the airwaves, or spectrum, for its development over the next several years of a high-speed mobile broadband network to keep pace with its larger rivals. The spectrum will bolster T-Mobile's network in 12 large U.S. markets, according to a statement from the Bellevue,...