In spectrum licenses, “size matters,” and offering smaller...

In spectrum licenses, “size matters,” and offering smaller blocks for sale will mean a more competitive AWS-3 auction, said T-Mobile Vice President Kathleen Ham Wednesday in a posting on the carrier’s blog. “Verizon and AT&T are advocating for big blocks covering big geographic areas,” Ham said (http://bit.ly/1dquzDv). “However, an auction with too many large blocks is a configuration that has the real potential to dissuade competitive carriers from participating in the auction. By contrast, smaller spectrum blocks with a mix of large and small geographic areas will provide the greatest opportunity for a wide variety of bidders to participate and obtain licenses that match their licensing needs.” The FCC faces a Goldilocks choice as it designs the auction, Ham said: “It should keep in mind that neither bigger nor smaller is always better. Rather, if the spectrum block and geographic area sizes are just right, the auction will surely be a success."