SpaceX, EchoStar among AWS-3 winners, as big U.S. carriers lock in licenses
AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile won multiple AWS-3 licenses in a roughly $3.5B auction, with Verizon taking 82 markets for $3.16B, T-Mobile 102 markets for $277.78M, and AT&T 10 markets for $120.77M. EchoStar (Conundrum Wireless) captured one market for $1.22M, and SpaceX won two markets for $8.49M (upstream-only), which analysts say could feed SpaceX's broader mobile ambitions and Starlink; Blue Ridge Wireless and Citizens Band also won licenses. Down payments are due July 13 and final payments July 27; the FCC aims to finish upper C-band auctions by 2027.