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Broadband & Mobile Featured Article
March 18, 2008
700 MHz Auction Comes to End After 261 Rounds
By Tim Gray TMCnet Web Editor
The bidding for the wireless airwaves currently controlled by the United States government came to an end this week after months of speculation and positioning by some of the biggest names in the technology and telecom industry, according to data posted on the Internet by communications regulators.
The battle for valuable blocks of 700-megahertz spectrum were put up for sale by the Federal Communications Commission five weeks ago, and racked up a record $19.59 billion before closing after bids dried up.
The auction was conducted on a blind-bidding basis in which bidders were anonymous.
Commercial wireless companies will to use the 700-MHz spectrum to support fourth generation, or 4G, cellular service.
This is expected to include high-speed wireless broadband service at similar speeds to wired Internet connections. There were 661 rounds of bidding.
Identities of the winning bidders are expected to be announced within several days.
Tim Gray is a Web Editor for TMCnet, covering news in the IP
communications, call center and customer relationship management industries. To see more of his articles, please visit Tim Gray’s columnist page.
Don't forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.
The battle for valuable blocks of 700-megahertz spectrum were put up for sale by the Federal Communications Commission five weeks ago, and racked up a record $19.59 billion before closing after bids dried up.
The auction was conducted on a blind-bidding basis in which bidders were anonymous.
Commercial wireless companies will to use the 700-MHz spectrum to support fourth generation, or 4G, cellular service.
This is expected to include high-speed wireless broadband service at similar speeds to wired Internet connections. There were 661 rounds of bidding.
Identities of the winning bidders are expected to be announced within several days.
Tim Gray is a Web Editor for TMCnet, covering news in the IP
communications, call center and customer relationship management industries. To see more of his articles, please visit Tim Gray’s columnist page.Don't forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.
