The FCC’s auction
for the 700 MHz block of the wireless spectrum closed today, with bids totaling
$19.592 billion.
The revenue “raised in the 700 MHz auction is significantly
more than raised in any past FCC auction,” said the FCC in a press
release (PDF) posted to its web site. The amount, which surpassed the 2006
Advanced Wireless Service-1 Auction’s revenue of $13.9 billion, nearly doubled congressional
estimates.
“All other 68 auctions conducted by the FCC in the past 15
years collectively generated a total of only $19.1 billion in receipts,” reads
the release.
Spectrum winners were not immediately announced, as the FCC
is expected to disclose winners in the next few days pending final details.
The 700 MHz block of frequencies, which many consider the last
great frontier in the wireless spectrum, was the subject of considerable debate
this past year with Google’s
insistence on an open platform. The FCC obliged Google’s request – somewhat
– and set an additional condition on upper-half “C block” bands that require
the winner to allow open access to its network, allowing consumers a choice in
devices they connect with. Incumbent wireless carriers accepted the new
requirement reluctantly – but
not before filing lawsuits – and Google eventually made good on its promise
to ensure open access by meeting
the $4.6 billion reserve. The upper-half C block eventually closed for a
high bid of $4.7 billion, and analysts believe Verizon Wireless to be the
winner.
While currently held by analog TV stations, the 700 MHz band
will be vacated next year as Congress
transitions the nation to digital TV in early 2009.
Not all the of the 700 MHz block was sold, however: the “D”
block, which is purposed for both commercial and public safety wireless service
in a unique dual configuration, failed to meet its $1.3 billion reserve as it
gathered only a single $472 million bid. The FCC said it is now evaluating its
options with the D block and the seven other licenses that did not sell, presumably
for inclusion in a future auction.
Auction winners will need to pay for their winnings in full
by June 30, 2008, and proceeds will be used to “support public safety and
digital television transition (DTV) initiatives.”