On March 29, the FCC started its low-frequency spectrumauction to wireless companies and others looking to build their wirelessnetworks.

The process started with a reverse auction where broadcast companiesvoluntarily gave up their own spectrums to the government in exchange for apayout or a shift to another frequency for a smaller sum, according to a March29 Reuters report. The auction is expected to finish by the summer and will befollowed by a forward auction. Telecommunication companies and other interestedparties will bid on available spectrums. That auction is expected to end byOctober.

There are an undisclosed number of applicants who asked totake part in the reverse auction and had until 6 p.m. EST on March 29 to submita binding agreement to participate. The forward auction saw 104 applications,with participants including Verizon Communications Inc., , and