At the most valuable block of the frequency range 700 MHz found a buyer

The auction for the sale of 700 MHz spectrum, which takes place in the United States, entered a decisive phase on Thursday found a buyer for the most valuable of the five bands for sale - the so-called block ' C'.
Recall that for sale in the auction display frequency, which is currently using an analog TV ( channel 52 th to 69 th ). After the transition of the United States to digital broadcasting next year, the frequency range 700 MHz freed, and carriers will be able to use them for the deployment of wireless mobile networks with high bandwidth and large coverage area.
Bidding at the auction began at the end of last month. Total offered five blocks - from 'A' to ' E', but the most interesting are the units ' C' (band 22 MHz ) and 'D' ( bandwidth 10 MHz). The fact that these bands allow you to deploy a radio network on a national scale. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set minimum prices for blocks of ' C' and 'D' of 4.7 billion and $ 1.3 billion, respectively.
It now informs Associated Press, on Thursday to block ' C' was suggested by the minimum required amount of 4.7 billion dollars. The name of the company that made the offer to purchase, do not say, however, according to experts, it can either search giant Google, or Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group.
And from that, who exactly will be the winner of the bout will depend on the future of the network based on the frequency band of the block ' C'. The fact that Google is in favor of an open broadband network in which customers will work with any devices and applications without any restrictions. At the same time Verizon Wireless may create a network to promote their own services exclusively.
In general, after eighteen rounds of the auction for the 700 MHz frequency spectrum proposed $ 13.7 billion. The Federal Communications Commission originally hoped to gain from the sale of frequencies from 10 to 15 billion dollars. Thus, we can assume that the auction is nearing completion.
Source:. Kompyulenta.