FACTBOX: Wireless auction winners

Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:47pm EDT
 
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(Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T won big in a government auction of wireless licenses that raised a record $19.59 billion, while other winners of Federal Communications Commission spectrum include a partner of satellite operator DISH Network Corp.

Verizon Wireless, a joint venture with Vodafone Group Plc, won licenses for the nationwide "C" block of spectrum, giving it control of a major piece of airwaves being vacated by television broadcasters as they move to digital signals.

Below are the major winners and their estimated spending on the licenses:

VERIZON WIRELESS:

Represented by Cellco Partnership, Verizon Wireless won the "C" block, 700 megahertz spectrum that is considered valuable because it can go long distances and penetrate thick walls. It bears a new requirement that the wireless spectrum be accessible to any device or software application, not just handsets favored by Verizon.

Verizon Wireless also won 25 licenses in the "A" block of regional spectrum, covering such areas as Long Island, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Spent: $9.63 billion

AT&T MOBILITY SPECTRUM:

AT&T won 227 licenses from among the "B" block of regional licenses spanning such cities as Washington, Houston and San Francisco.

Spent: $6.64 billion

FRONTIER WIRELESS LLC, PARTNERSHIP CONTROLLED BY DISH NETWORK

CORP:

Frontier gained a nearly nationwide footprint of airwaves in the "E" block of licenses, which offer one-way communication capabilities, suggesting it may branch out to offer wireless video services.

Spent: $711 million

QUALCOMM:

Qualcomm won 9 licenses in the "B" and "E" blocks.  Continued...

 

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