SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile Bid for $6 Billion Spectrum

Grain Management LLC is seeking bids to sell or lease 800 MHz-band spectrum licenses valued at approximately $6 billion. The spectrum became available following a swap between the investment firm and T-Mobile US, which traded the licenses for 600 MHz licenses and $2.9 billion in a deal approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. and AST SpaceMobile have both expressed interest in the licenses. The spectrum is highly valuable for satellite providers because it allows them to establish ground-based links for voice services, known as network pilots, covering nearly the entire United States population.

The Federal Communications Commission has mandated that all bidding be completed by November 5 to ensure the growth of satellite-based telecom networks and maintain United States leadership in space-based communications. Grain Management LLC has requested preliminary offers by the first week of September.