Here Are The FCC’s Incentive Auction Results

0

In an afternoon press briefing held Thursday (4/13), the final results of the FCC’s first-of-its-kind incentive auction were officially shared with the public.


Incentive Auction Task Force Chair Gary Epstein, Deputy Chair Jean L. Kiddoo, and Senior Advisor Charlie Meisch discussed some of the highlights — and details — of “Auction 1000,” a.k.a. the Broadcast Incentive Auction.

Among the key takeaways: T-Mobile is the big winner in the Forward Auction, investing $8 billion for 1,500 blocks in 414 Partial Economic Areas (PEAs).

The No. 2 investor in spectrum? It’s not Comcast, which paid $1.7 billion to gain spectrum. Rather, it’s a entity associated with DISH Network head Charlie Ergen, ParkerB.com Wireless LLC, which invested $6.2 billion for 416 blocks in 416 PEAs.

What about other wireless services companies, who prior to the spectrum auction argued that there was a “crisis” — spurring excitement among television broadcasters that a big financial windfall would transpire?

They didn’t seem as eager as initially anticipated, resulting in what some in the TV industry consider a “disappointing” finish for the incentive auction.

Please Login to view this premium content. (Not a member? Join Today!)