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700 MHz Auction: First round results
The 700 MHz auction kicked off today and the results from the first round are in: There is a provisionally winning bid for the C Block of spectrum at just over $1 billion and a provisionally winning bid for the D Block of spectrum for $472 million. Round two of bidding will commence at 2:30 PM EST. There is no set number of rounds, according to the FCC rules, the rounds will continue until there are no more bids. So far, the FCC has raised more than $2.4 billion in provisionally winning bids after 1,849 bids were placed.
The FCC is not disclosing which bidders placed bids or who is in the lead in an effort to stem potential collusion between bidders.
To see where the bids stand now and after each round:
- keep an eye on our dedicated auction coverage
Comments
Posted by Dustysage | January 24, 2008 - 2:34pm
This auction is a lot more important than most people (or even the media) realize. If AT&T or another major incumbent wraps up the bulk of the remaining spectrum, it will hamper wireless initiatives by smaller players and by previously unwired technologies such as toys, consumer products, automotive, and a host of industries that could benefit from wireless data. We are at a juncture where technology previously thought impossible can be brought to consumers (converged voice and data devices, networked consumer products, even ambient data - thinking products that know where they are and can give feedback on their environment). However, if the cellular carriers have their way, all such data would need to go through them, with the consumer forced to sign up for service plans. And the carriers do NOT have a history of being easy to work with or willing to add new products and devices to their networks.
Keep an eye on this auction folks, it could change the very course of consumer products as we know them for many decades to come. Or it could mean business as usual if Ma Bell has her way.
-Dusty
The Sage of MiceChat.com
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