FCC wireless auction nears end

And so, another chapter in wireless history is about to come to a close. The great wireless auction is nearing its end.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S.
Federal Communications Commission auction of airwaves for advanced wireless services was winding down on Thursday with few new bids offered and spectrum-hungry T-Mobile USA in the lead.
T-Mobile, the No. 4 U.S. wireless carrier and owned by Deutsche Telekom AG (DTEGn.DE), has provisionally won 119 licenses in major markets like New York City and Chicago with offers of almost $4.2 billion after 136 rounds.
The company had been expected to be the most aggressive bidder in the FCC sale because in many key markets it has less airwaves to serve customers than larger rivals.
So far the auction has grossed almost $13.9 billion, but would net about $13.7 billion because of discounts offered to entrepreneurial bidders. Analysts had expected the sale to raise from $8 billion to $15 billion….Source: Reuters