Google, which successfully petitioned the FCC to decree to open the "C block" of spectrum to outside devices and applications, said it had an early lock on the C block, but was eventually outbid by Verizon and took home no licenses.
Google (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ), which successfully petitioned the FCC to decree to open the "C block" of spectrum to outside devices and applications, said it had an early lock on the C block, but was eventually outbid by Verizon and took home no licenses.
Specifically, licensees offering service on C Block spectrum "shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice on the licensee's C Block network, " subject to narrow exceptions.
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The hottest competition is for the "C block" of spectrum, located in the low end of the spectrum.
Ceding the C block to Verizon would allow Google to exit the auction gracefully and direct its billions elsewhere.
The C block has international potential as well, as this same band is opening up around the world for wireless broadband services.
But Verizon likely didn't bid for the C block directly, analysts said.
Verizon Wireless offers customers its 4G LTE service on C Block spectrum.
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The Commission also received an informal complaint alleging that Verizon Wireless had violated the FCC's C Block rules by making such a request.
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Verizon Wireless is also getting 700 MHz C block spectrum into the hands of 20 rural operators through its LTE in Rural America leasing program.
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Instead, it likely bid on a host of less expensive regional slices of spectrum and made sure that the total amount was more than what was bid for the C block.
Under the agreement, Verizon Wireless leased to Bluegrass Cellular its 700 MHz upper C block wireless spectrum in the Bluegrass Cellular service areas where Verizon Wireless has not constructed a network.
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It's a savvy strategy, because under FCC rules, if the regional bids top the bids for the C block, that block must be split up and apportioned to the highest bidder or bidders.
Industry watchers say Verizon has a clinch on the C block while another carrier, perhaps Alltel (nyse: AT - news - people ), likely has won one or two licenses.
Big Red has emerged with virtually all of the highly coveted C Block save for Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf of Mexico, a logical move considering its recent foray into the wide world of open access.
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Instead, analysts believe that Verizon (nyse: VZ - news - people )--thought to be the only bidder besides Google that is both rich and motivated enough--is poised to win the coveted C block of spectrum that Google was eyeing.
The open device and application obligations were core conditions when Verizon purchased the C-block spectrum.
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This C-Class was among the first on the block, and when I parked behind an older-generation C, the detailing was apparent.
This is precisely what occurred when Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) threatened to block Obama administration appointments unless money was provided for a harbor dredging project in his home state.
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