The US’ largest mobile carrier Verizon Communications along with rivals AT&T and T-Mobile US and satellite provider Dish Network have submitted initial applications to take part in the country’s upcoming spectrum auction. The FCC has received 80…
The US’ largest mobile carrier Verizon Communications along with rivals AT&T and T-Mobile US and satellite provider Dish Network have submitted initial applications to take part in the country’s upcoming spectrum auction.
The FCC has received 80 applications for the AWS-3 frequency tender, which is due to take place on 13 November, but only 33 entities submitted complete applications.
In July, the telecoms regulator said it expected to raise at least US$10.65bn from the auction, which will offer 1,614 licences in the 1,695-1,710 MHz, 1,755-1,780 MHz and 2,155-2,180 MHz bands.
Dish has disclosed joint bidding arrangements with Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless LicenseCo, in both of which it holds an indirect interest.
A T-Mobile spokeswoman said the company has not made any joint bid, while Verizon said it could not comment on any auction-related matters. AT&T did not immediately respond to an enquiry on potential joint bids.
A mock auction will be held on 10 November. Interested parties must make an upfront payment by 15 October to become qualified bidders.
Analysts at New Street Research said in a note that, although the number of bidders is lower than in the previous AWS-1 and 700MHz auctions, the entities are sufficiently large and well-funded to make the auction competitive, adding that their need for spectrum is far more acute now than it was before.
As previously announced, the country’s third-largest carrier, Sprint Corp, has not applied to take part in the auction. Last month, the Softbank-controlled operator however said it would evaluate opportunities presented by the 600 MHz incentive auction, planned for mid-2015.
On Wednesday, the FCC has started approaching broadcasters in a bid to persuade them to free up their 600 MHz frequencies. The 2008 700 MHz auction, which was the last auction of comparable spectrum, generated US$19bn, according a document published by the regulator.
