Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC GRANTS 3.45 GHz BAND WIRELESS LICENSES
Wide Variety of Competitors Receive Licenses for Mid-Band Wireless Services Following Auction 110
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WASHINGTON, May 4, 2022—The Federal Communications Commission today granted 4,041 flexible-use licenses for wireless services in the 3.45 GHz band to winning bidders in Auction 110, which closed in January.  With this action, the agency has completed its review and granted all licenses requested in the long-form applications of winning bidders in Auction 110.

“The Commission structured this auction with diversity and competition front of mind.  The results speak for themselves.  The licenses we are granting today represent a wider variety of providers, including small businesses and rural carriers, who will help deliver on the promise of 5G to every corner of the country” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “Building on the success of this auction, we are hard at work preparing for the 2.5 GHz auction starting in July.  Our continued focus on making mid-band spectrum available illustrates our commitment to the broad availability of 5G in the United States.”

The 3.45 GHz auction resulted in gross proceeds exceeding $22.5 billion.  Thirteen of the twenty-three companies with winning bids qualified as small businesses or as entities serving rural communities.  In addition, compared to the prior 5G auction of spectrum in the 3.7 GHz band, this auction saw a substantial increase in the number of winning bidders per market: over one-third of the top 100 markets have at least four winning bidders, compared with 10% of the top 100 markets for Auction 107 (3.7 GHz band).  This broader range and distribution of winning bidders will increase competition by providing a diversity of wireless carriers with the mid-band spectrum resources needed to maintain American leadership in 5G. 

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).