Bidders in the Federal Communication Commission’s 700 MHz spectrum auction continued their squabble over just under 100 licenses that appear to remain in play. The opening three rounds of bidding today drew 93, 99 and 100 new bids, which was a bump from the 84, 87 and 88 new bids placed during the final three rounds on Thursday. New bids continued to tack on between $4 million and $5 million in potential winning bids per round, with the total potential winning bid amount at $19.436 billion after round 78.
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During rounds 76, 77 and 78 today an increased interest has been placed on B-Block licences, which have gained a majority share of new bids placed. Despite being pushed down the priority scale, E-Block licenses continue to draw the highest new bids and account for most of the increase in total potential winning bids.
More good news for the FCC included a pair of licenses received their first bids leaving only seven licenses without a single bid. The unloved licenses are all in the B Block and cover Bismarck, Grand Forks and Fargo, N.D.; and portions of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Louisiana.
The FCC has yet to announce any quickening of bidding rounds, which has remained at six rounds per day since Feb. 8. Bidding will not be held on Feb. 18 in observance of President’s Day.
