Verizon joins AT&T, T-Mobile in asking FCC to take a tougher stance on joint bidding

Verizon Wireless came out against joint bidding arrangements for future spectrum auctions, allying itself with AT&T Mobility and setting up a battle with Sprint and T-Mobile US ahead of next year's 600 MHz incentive auction. However, Verizon, like AT&T and T-Mobile, also told the FCC that the recently completed AWS-3 auction, and Dish Network's partnership with so-called designated entities to win spectrum in that auction, show that the commission needs to take a tougher line on joint bidding.

In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Verizon notes that existing FCC rules already state that bidders in spectrum auctions are subject to antitrust laws, which prohibit collusion and other forms of bid rigging in an auction context. Referring to Dish, Verizon noted that "despite that prohibition, in the recent AWS-3 auction, three applicants closely coordinated their bids and bidding strategies on hundreds of licenses. Commenters explain how this coordination gave those applicants advantages, deterred other bidders, and undercut the integrity of that auction."