Verizon Says Dish Bidding Tactic Distorted FCC Spectrum Auction

Verizon said the bidding strategy employed by entities related to Dish Network distorted the government’s $45 billion spectrum auction, joining its counterparts in complaining about the satellite-TV provider’s tactics. In a regulatory filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Verizon said its analysis of auction data indicated that Dish closely coordinated its bidding with a pair of partnerships in which it was an investor, creating the impression there was more demand for some licenses than there actually was and driving smaller bidders out of the running.

Dish’s entities ended up winning $13.3 billion in bids, more than Verizon and second only to AT&T. Dish also claimed a 25 percent discount aimed at small businesses. Verizon said it shared data with the FCC and attended a meeting with the FCC at the agency’s request.