T-Mobile USA emerges as the largest bidder in the wireless spectrum auctions

Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile USA unit has emerged as the largest bidder in the public auction of wireless spectrum under way in the US. The company, which needs the new spectrum to launch 3G wireless services, ended the 13th round of bidding at $1.8 billion for 14 licences, bringing its total provisional bids for 39 licences to $3.1 billion. Cingular, owned by AT&T and BellSouth, has also been an active bidder, offering $296 million for one licence in the latest round, taking its total provisional bids for four licences to $783.4 million. Also, Verizon Wireless has placed a $4.1 million high bid on a 20 MHz F-block licence covering Hawaii, a licence which T-Mobile USA had previously held.