After dividing the spectrum by sectors the FCC divided it again by geography. The majority of the wireless service providers in the U.S. operate on one of these two frequency bands. Later, it split the PCS spectrum up to allow six competitors in each region. This was done to increase license revenues for the government and to lower prices by increasing competition. The FCC is currently auctioning off 422 licenses in 195 markets and many are looking at this auction to be a precursor to future auctions.
Cost is the issue.
The Germans followed that up with an even bigger windfall . American investors began worrying about the remaining U.S. auctions. Paul Larson provides several examples of this in his overview of wireless service providers in Industry Focus 2001 . A final word to my fellow investors out there. I feel your pain.