FCC Concludes First High-Band 5G Airwaves Auctions

The Federal Communications Commission announced the conclusion of bidding in Auction 102, the FCC’s second auction of millimeter wave spectrum suitable for 5G, which is providing licenses in the 24 GHz band. With the closing of bidding in this auction along with the closing of bidding in Auction 101 for 28 GHz band licenses, the FCC has now completed its first set of high-band airwaves auctions to make spectrum available for 5G wireless, Internet of Things, and other advanced spectrum-based services. Together, the Spectrum Frontiers auctions of the 24 GHz and 28 GHz bands raised more than $2.7 billion in gross bids. Combined, 55 applicants were qualified to bid, and the winning bidders won 5,869 licenses.

• Auction 102 Results: Bidding in the auction of 24 GHz Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service licenses (Auction 102) concluded today at 5 p.m. E.T. with the end of the assignment phase, which followed the close of clock-phase bidding on April 17, 2019. Auction 102 raised (in gross bids) $2,024,268,941, and bidders won 2,904 of the 2,909 licenses offered.
• Auction 101 Results: On January 24, 2019, bidding concluded in the auction of 28 GHz Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service licenses (Auction 101), the Commission’s first auction of high-band spectrum licenses for 5G wireless, Internet of Things, and other advanced spectrum-based services. This auction raised (in gross bids) a total of $702,572,410, and bidders won 2,965 of the 3,072 licenses offered.