With an estimated 800 MHz of spectrum earmarked for auction by 2034 by the Federal Communications Commission, the agency recently completed its first auction in four years. According to news reports, the total value of the bids exceeded $3.5 billion.
The offering was for four licenses in three major US cities - two in Chicago and one each in Boston and New York. The competitive bidding that concluded on the 23rd of June was designed to ensure commercial use for these parts of the spectrum. The frequencies are part of the Advanced Wireless Services, or AWS-3, bands used by the major mobile carriers.
The agency is now preparing to accept bids next year for at least 100 MHz in the Upper C-Band, from 3.98 GHz to 4.2 GHz.
