Originally published Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM
$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
An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
Retailers opening doors on Thanksgiving Day
Google makes concessions on digital book deal
Critics want to block Comcast-NBC deal
Google submits revised book settlement

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
632 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
247 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
178 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
177 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
141 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
132 - Wright State game thread
97 - Person of interest in custody in connection with Greenwood arsons
96 - Rang says Locker not ready for NFL
85 - Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue
74
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15





