TV Auction View: AT&T, VZ Top Bidders; Comcast In; Google, AMZN Out [telecom]

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by REINHARDT KRAUSE

JP Morgan is bullish on the upcoming "Broadcast Incentive Auction," which will free up prime, low-frequency airwaves owned by local TV broadcasters for wireless data services.

Naysayers continue to contend that the Federal Communications Commission faces many challenges in pulling off a successful auction, which for now is scheduled to start late next month. One risk is that broadcasters might drop out of the auction if they determine that bidding prices are disappointing.

The auction is key for T-Mobile US, which needs spectrum. AT&T and Verizon Communications own most of the available low-frequency spectrum, in which waves travel longer distances, among other advantages over higher-frequency spectrum.