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NAB 2016

Padden Sees An $80B Spectrum Gold Rush

TVNewsCheck | by Harry A. Jessell

Spectrum sales advocate Preston Padden predicts wireless carriers will bid up to $80 billion for TV broadcasters’ spectrum in the FCC’s incentive auction. While not dismissing Padden’s estimate, wireless attorney Michelle Farquhar thinks bids will end up around $45 billion, driven by consumer demand for mobile video. “Mobile video is getting huge and it’s going to take off,” she said.