FCC’s H Block Auction Raises $1.56 Billion to Help Fund FirstNet

The Federal Communications Commission’s first spectrum auction since 2008 concluded after six weeks as the bidding for 10 megahertz of H Block spectrum reached $1.56 billion, the reserve price previously set by Dish Network Inc.

The H Block auction is among several spectrum auctions authorized by Congress when it passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. No. 112-96). Revenue generated from the auctions will fund the $7 billion development of FirstNet, a nationwide interoperable communications network for first responders, and help pay down the nation’s debt.

Tom Wheeler, the chairman ...