FCC spectrum auction ends after 161 rounds
By Evan Blass 
posted September 18th 2006 7:45PM
posted September 18th 2006 7:45PM
We're sure that you've been following the FCC's blow-by-blow coverage of the AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum auction as closely as you would the "So You Think You Can Dance" competition, but just in case you've been busy for the last 161 rounds of bidding, we're here to let you know that the results are in and the winners have been crowned (assuming that they cough up the millions or billions of dollars they've pledged, that is). This wireless horse race has remained mostly unchanged for the last few dozen rounds -- after the DirecTV-Echostar consortium known as Wireless DBS dropped out of the running, even we mostly lost interest -- with T-Mobile finally emerging as the seemingly largest beneficiary. For a cool $4.1 billion (yes, that's billion with a "b"), the Mob picked up 120 licenses covering most of the US, a move that was essential for the company to kick-start its rather slow entrance into the 3G data game. Other big winners included Spectrum Co. and AWS Wireless, who picked up 137 and 154 licenses, respectively, along with Verizon (13 blocks covering most of the Eastern US) and MetroPCS, which snatched up 8 licenses in key areas such as Texas and Detroit. Overall, 104 bidders made it through the entire auction to pick up a grand total of 1,087 licenses, with the biggest winner of all being the good ole US government: the total amount of loot that was bid reached a staggering $13.7 billion, which is basically found money considering that everyone was simply battling over the right to use invisible radio spectrum. If you're at all interested in a more specific run-down of who got what and for how much, hit the Read link to check out the auction home page, where the FCC has thoughtfully posted about a million pages of charts, tables, and graphs laying it all out in excruciatingly boring detail.[Via MocoNews]
Wifi? I'm waiting for 802.16 WiMAX when it eventually makes itself known, be when it may?
I just want to make it known to all those companies, for $100,000,000 I will sell all wireless spectrum in my home. No bidding on portions, its an all or none deal. No waiting for the auction, this is a Buy It Now price.
God. I cannot believe the FCC is doing this...again. Thanks to the FCC we have the most disorganized, conflictory, idiotic spectrun layout. God I hate the FCC so damn much I can't even begin to describe it. Seriously, I really wish that they would stop letting companies buy the spectrum (given, they get a lot of money out of it, but it's still a drop in a 2 trillion dollar federal bucket). Seriously...these idiots ought to come up with a spectrum alocation system which actually puts the public's needs for broadcast and communications first. I wish they would consider alocating the prime frequencies to the most important services, such as public broadcast and unlicenced uses.
As it stands, if there is an inovative or promising use for bandwidth, it ain't gona happen, unless it's being backed by very deep pocketed companies.
Ever wonder why other countries have stuff like DVB-H, DAB or other next gen wireless services? 3 letters. F C C
Good points number 2.
But I have a feeling nothing is going to change.
At least now T-Mobile can roll out their 3G.
Huzzah!
Well so much for the Google Nationwide wifi i was hoping for...
very fleecing of America
I have a feeling this will bite us back in the end.
The peoples airwaves? NOT!
This is the very reason why there is so much crap on the radio today too. Plain joe couldn't afford to get any spectrum. Any decent radio station is a pirate radio station. Blame the FCC.
The very same crap happens with the rest of the airwaves.
When are people going to realize that they have to use reverse auctions instead of regular forward online auctions? Choose something reasonable http://www.oltiby.com
yes online reverse auction is quite new but it works. I bought a DVD and some books, that's great. It is the same thing than eBay auction but instead of sellers, http://www.oltiby.com is made for buyers. Buyer post what they want to buy and competition between sellers makes the price go down. If you buy, you deserve to save money!