Interesting to see the just completed 700MHz “Incentive” auction in the USA saw 70MHz of spectrum sold for $US19.8Bn or $0.93/MHz/pop.
This spectrum was given up by 174 broadcasters across the country in a reverse auction. These broadcasters were compensated collectively to the tune of $10Bn. $7.3Bn of the balance will go towards reducing Uncle Sam’s deficit (currently $19Tr).
Of the 100 registered bidders and 50 winners of spectrum number 3 ranked mobile operator T-Mobile purchased the most by far winning the rights to 31MHz nationwide (securing 45 per cent of the total spectrum sold) for $8Bn.
Note that the USA spectrum is for keeps not just for 15 years as is the case with the Australian (and many other market’s) spectrum licenses.