FCC speeds spectrum bidding in effort to wrap auction

• As the FCC works to bring a lengthy broadcast incentive spectrum auction to a close, bidding is speeding up.
• The auction's already met a number of conditions to close after the current stage, but bidding will continue until it goes silent in the 416 markets.
• Late yesterday, bidders in round 37 of stage four raised the total to $19.41B. Today will mark the last day of four one-hour rounds, John Eggerton notes; tomorrow, the auction moves to six 40-minute rounds and the asking price for spectrum increases by 10%.
• Spectrum players: VZ, T, TMUS, S, DISH, SBGI, EVC, CMCSA, CHTR, NXST, CBS, MEG
• Previously: FCC incentive spectrum auction to end after current stage (Jan. 18 2017)
• Previously: FCC airwaves auction goes tepid as bids fail to match broadcaster supply (Jan. 18 2017)