Cue the music

21 March 2017 By Jennifer Saba Follow @jennifersaba

The sale of U.S. government bandwidth is nearing a close soon, lifting the quiet period for wireless operators like T-Mobile US and Dish. Add growing confidence of lighter regulation to the rapid convergence of the media and the conditions point to frenzied dealmaking.

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The Federal Communications Commission broadcast incentive auction is coming to a close. The final rounds of bidding, known as the assignment phase, are scheduled to conclude on March 30. The auction for spectrum began on March, 29, 2016.

In the two-part process, U.S. broadcasters relinquish some of their spectrum for wireless broadband use. Broadcasters’ winning payments totaled more than $10 billion, while gross revenue from wireless bidders tallied almost $20 billion. After the collection of certain fees the remaining amount is given to taxpayers.

Bidders are still in a quiet period, which prevents parties from talking to each other. This is expected to be lifted by early May, when applications and down payments are due for wireless licenses.

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