Dish Network is all set for the FCC’s November AWS-3 auction and the satellite provider has inked some joint-bidding agreements as well.
According to FCC filings, Dish has signed agreements with Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless. As Reuters points out, Dish has indirect ownership in both companies.
Along with Dish, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have all officially thrown their hats in the ring for the auction. Sprint, as previously confirmed, will not participate in the AWS-3 auction and instead save its strength for next year’s Incentive Auctions.
Verizon and T-Mobile do not appear to have entered any joint-bidding agreements but they have together signed a license exchange and lease agreement as well as an exchange of spectrum letter agreement.
Verizon and T-Mobile have in the past swapped AWS and PCS licenses. Earlier this year, T-Mobile paid $2.4 billion and gave some AWS and PCS licenses to Verizon in exchange for a chunk of 700 MHz A Block spectrum.
In addition to the big name players, smaller carriers like Guam-based Docomo and Bluegrass Wireless have submitted applications for Auction 97.
In total, 80 potential bidders have submitted both complete and incomplete applications.
The AWS-3 auction will kick off on Nov. 13 and will offer up 65 MHz across 1,614 total licenses. The available bands cover 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz. The bands are divided into six blocks: one 5 MHz, four 10 MHz, and one 20 MHz.
Filed Under: Industry regulations + certifications