The auction of US frequency usage rights in the range 3.7 to 3, 98 GHz breaks all records: 80, 917 billion US dollars (67 billion euros) in preliminary bids have already come together in the 97 rounds of the first auction phase. The US regulatory authority FCC has never raised that much money with a mobile radio frequency auction.

The previous record has expired the year 2015 and is 44, 9 billion dollars. At that time 1. 600 licenses for a total of 65 MHz Spectrum around 1.7 and 2.1 GHz issued for twelve years. This time there are 5. 684 licenses for a total of 280 MHz spectrum for 15 years. Calculated per megahertz and year, the prices were higher six years ago, the absolute sum was lower.

However, the current auction is not over yet. In the “clock” phase, which has now ended, it was determined which bidders receive how much spectrum in which regions. The allocation phase of the 5G auction now begins. It is decided which frequency ranges go to which successful bidders. Even within a band, lower frequencies are usually more desirable than higher, because lower frequencies penetrate obstacles such as walls better with the same transmission strength.

12 GHz at a glance Meanwhile, the FCC is looking for additional frequencies for cellular services. For example, the authority has the frequency range from , 2 to 12, 7 GHz in mind. TV satellites, non-geostationary satellites and fixed telecom network operators are currently broadcasting there. The FCC is now asking the public for comments on whether and how it would be possible to open these frequencies to mobile communications without affecting existing users.

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