After 176 rounds, the first U.S. millimeter wave spectrum auction for 5G, for two bands at 28 GHz, concluded Friday (January 24), raising $702.6 million for 2,965 licenses.
The FCC auctioned two 425 MHz bands, covering 27.500 to 27.925 and 27.925 to 28.350 GHz, by geographic county. The licenses for Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service authorize both fixed and mobile operation.
The FCC will now auction spectrum at 24 GHz (Auction 102), offering 2,909 licenses by U.S. partial economic area (PEA). The 24 GHz spectrum is comprised of seven, 100 MHz frequency blocks within the 24.25 to 24.45 and 24.75 to 25.25 GHz bands.
Winners of the 28 GHz licenses (Auction 101) will not be announced publicly until after the 24 GHz auction concludes, when the names of the winners in both auctions will be released.
“The successful conclusion of our nation’s first high-band 5G spectrum auction is a significant step toward maintaining American leadership in 5G. Our 24 GHz auction will begin soon, and we will then hold an auction of three more spectrum bands later this year.” — FCC chairman Ajit Pai