Starting on August 9th of this year, the FCC will be auctioning off 1,122 licenses in the 1,710 to 1,755 MHz and 2,110 to 2,155 MHz radio-frequency bands. The space is for what the FCC calls Advanced Wireless Services spectrum intended to be used for new wireless applications requiring more bandwidth like web browsing and video. The spectrum is being reallocated from its current use for various government and other services.

The most aggressive bidder may well be T-Mobile, as without the increased spectrum they can't upgrade their networks to 3G like the other carriers. They also tend to be the carrier with the least services in the rural areas of Texas where I live. Around here if you get off the highways, you have no T-Mobile service. Other major wireless carriers such as Verizon and Cingulair are also bidding. Information Week says that while the FCC hopes the new spectrum will be used for new services, that most bidders will likely use newly purchased spectrum to improve existing services.