Originally published Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM
E-mail article
Print view$19.6B bid in richest airwaves auction
The most lucrative airwaves sale in U.S. history ended Tuesday with bids totaling $19.6 billion, underscoring demand from AT&T and...
Bloomberg News
The most lucrative airwaves sale in U.S. history ended Tuesday with bids totaling $19.6 billion, underscoring demand from AT&T and Verizon Wireless for spectrum that will bolster Internet services on mobile phones.
Revenue from the auction came in near the top of analysts' projections of as much as $20 billion. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hasn't decided when it will disclose the winners of the 1,099 licenses, Chairman Kevin Martin said.
AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Google and 211 other companies and combinations of companies battled for airwaves that are being counted on to speed up Internet access on phones.
The airwaves, which went on sale Jan. 24, will become available when television broadcasters switch to digital signals next February.
A $472 million offer for public-safety airwaves known as the D-block fell short of the reserve price of $1.3 billion. The FCC now must craft a new plan to sell the D-block, which was designed to be shared by emergency services and commercial customers.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view
Digg
Newsvine
UPDATE - 08:03 AM
Service sector shrinks less than expected in June
Tech execs double as scourges and sages at Allen & Co.'s media summit
UPDATE - 08:14 AM
Stocks slide on conflicting signs about economy
UPDATE - 08:32 AM
Bankruptcy judge OKs GM sale plan, appeal looms
2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Tax tips for new independent professionals
Post a comment
nwautos
Choosing a new sports car/coupe? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
nwhomes
Find a new home or condo that fits your lifestyle.
Search New Developments
Builder Directory
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Shooting unveils very different sides of McNair
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Confessions of an Idol Addict | "American Idols" on tour: Live coverage from opening date
- Quincy Jones remembers "the biggest entertainer on the planet": Michael Jackson
- Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
247 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting 183
- Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players 138
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise 129
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed 113
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties 109
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision 107
- Anti-tax rally in Olympia attracts about 1,500 69
- Mariners did their part, now they need help 46
- Megachurch pastor Rick Warren addresses US Muslims 36
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- The People's Pharmacy | Estrogen mimicker found in sunscreen
- Researchers stunned by inmates' success raising endangered frogs
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
- Toyota's Toyoda scolds execs for emulating U.S. car companies' mistakes
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
