FCC concludes 2.5 GHz spectrum auction: A boost of Mid-Band spectrum for rural America

Washington, United States – The Federal Communications Commission announced winning bidders in the 2.5 GHz band auction (Auction 108). In total, 7,872 of the 8,017 offered county-based licenses, or 98% of the total inventory, have been sold. With most of the available spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band located in rural areas, this auction provides vital spectrum resources to support wireless services in rural communities.

There are 63 winning bidders, 77% of which qualified as small businesses or as entities serving rural communities, which will support the introduction of innovative new wireless services in their local communities. In addition, Auction 108 raised gross proceeds exceeding [$427 million (€427.39 million)].

The five bidders with the largest total gross winning bid amounts were as follows:

BidderTotal Gross Winning Bids
T-Mobile License LLC$304,325,290
PTI Pacifica Inc.$17,690,000
TeleGuam Holdings, LLC$16,565,000
Evergy Kansas Central$12,744,400
Cellular South Licenses, LLC$11,861,300

The five bidders winning the largest number of licenses were as follows:

BidderNumber of Licenses Won
T-Mobile License LLC7,156
North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation 107
Evergy Kansas Central54
LICT Wireless Broadband Company, LLC46
Broadband One of the Midwest, Inc.42

Auction 108 started on July 29 and utilised a novel “clock-1” format of the Commission’s ascending clock auction. The auction of new flexible-use geographic overlay licenses ensures that this important mid-band spectrum will be used to its fullest potential by a wide-array of service providers to bring service to all Americans, especially those in rural areas.

For more information on Auction 108, visit here.

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