First Round of C-Band 5G Spectrum Auction Closes

The Federal Communications Commission announced the conclusion of bidding in the clock phase of Auction 107, the largest auction of mid-band 5G spectrum, and the highest-grossing spectrum auction overall, ever held in the United States. The auction made available licenses for 280 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.7- 3.98 GHz band—a portion of the so-called C-band. Bidders have won all of the 5,684 spectrum blocks that were up for bid. And gross proceeds have exceeded $80.9 billion, shattering the prior FCC auction record of $44.9 billion. Winning bidders will now have the opportunity to bid for frequency-specific licenses in the assignment phase of Auction 107. The FCC will release a public notice soon announcing further details regarding the assignment phase, including the date and time when bidding in the assignment phase will commence.