The Federal Communications Commission has completed the first round of the auction of the 3.7-3.98 GHz band, raising the most ever in a spectrum auction in the US. All 5,684 blocks on offer were acquired, with total bids of USD 80.9 billion, nearly twice the previous record for a FCC auction.
The mid-band frequencies are considered key to expanding 5G networks, with mobile operators such as Verizon and AT&T expected to be the biggest bidders. No details on the winning bidders were released, as the FCC must still hold the second round assignment phase, where companies can bid for specific places in the spectrum.
The 280 MHz of radio frequencies are being released by satellite operators under the agreement struck with the FCC in 2020 on clearing the C-band quickly. However, mobile operators will still have to wait until later this year before they can access even part of the spectrum.
Satellite operators using the C-Band have agreed to move their operations out of the band’s lower 300 MHz (3.7-4.0 GHz) into the upper 200 MHz (4.0-4.2 GHz). The first phase of this transition, clearing the 3.7-3.82 GHz range in 46 of the nation’s top 50 markets, should be completed by 05 December 2021. Clearing the lower 120 MHz in the remaining areas, plus an additional 180 megahertz from 3.82-4.0 GHz nationwide must be completed by 05 December 2023.
