Clearwire Is Said to Seek Up to $5 Billion in Spectrum Auction

Clearwire, the high-speed wireless carrier, is seeking to raise $2.5 billion to $5 billion in a wireless spectrum auction that has attracted telephone and cable companies.

The company is selling up to 40 megahertz of spectrum per market, only a slice of its wireless capacity. AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Deutsche Telekom AG, Time Warner Cable and Clearwire's majority owner, Sprint Nextel, are among potential buyers of the spectrum. The bidding is in its second round and is being managed by Deutsche Bank AG.