700 MHz Auction Closes, FCC Garners Billions…

The Federal Communication Commission’s Auction 73 is now closed. The auction assigned more than 1,000 licenses for most of the 700MHz band. Final bid amounts came in at just under 19.6B/USD, double the estimated amount for the auction. This auction also exceeded the final receipts of all previous U.S. spectrum auctions combined. Consumers with mobile broadband, mobile video and other services not yet realized will find the 700 MHz spectrum with excellent propagation characteristics and it will be useful in expanding advanced services in rural areas, which was a key goal of the FCC as mandated by Congress. The FCC will now turn its attention to the reviewing the options for the Upper 700 MHz D block. This is 10 MHz of spectrum designed to create a Public/Private Partnership to build a nationwide, interoperable broadband network to improve public safety communications. First responders need such advanced communication capabilities to provide critical, life-saving services to citizens across the country—Washington, D.C.