In some ways Verizon and the cable companies have agreed to stay out of each other’s businesses, and the spectrum transfer does not raise the same antitrust concerns as the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile, said Chetan Sharma, an independent telecom analyst. He said that the transfer would allow the wireless spectrum to be put in the hands of someone who needs it most: a cellphone carrier.

The cable companies bought the spectrum at an F.C.C. auction in 2006 with plans to possibly start a wireless business, but then never used it, said Mark A. Winther, a telecommunications analyst at IDC, a research firm. He said the wireless business was a bad fit for cable companies, which sell services like television and high-speed Internet to entire households, whereas mobile services are sold to individuals.

In its filing, T-Mobile warns that the spectrum transfer would limit the ability for competitors to build so-called fourth-generation LTE networks. But if the transfer were blocked, it is unclear whether T-Mobile would even be able to buy and use the spectrum. T-Mobile USA has not formally announced plans for LTE networks, and Deutsche Telekom, which owns T-Mobile USA, has shown a lack of interest in investing in the troubled carrier, Mr. Winther said.

In light of T-Mobile USA’s uncertain future, the carrier’s move against Verizon and the cable companies is an odd one, Mr. Winther said.

“It almost feels like, because they couldn’t join up with AT&T, they’re not going to let Verizon solve a spectrum problem,” he said. “It’s a weird position.”

But Mr. Sharma said T-Mobile’s petition may simply be a competitive move to keep Verizon, the stronger player in wireless, from becoming even stronger.

“They want to keep their options open if they do go down the path of LTE,” he said.