After three rounds of stability just under the $4.6bn reserve threshold yesterday, round 17 of bidding in the 700MHz spectrum auction saw a figure of $4,713,823,000 bid and, as a result, the open-access provisos which Google pushed for will now definitely be included in the contract of whoever wins the so-called “beachfront” band.

As a result, the network eventually constructed will be open to any compatible device.  Round 18 received no further bids, leading to speculation that it was Google that pushed the bidding beyond the reserve; the search company has previously pledged to put up at least the minimum figure.

However Block D has still failed to move beyond the initial bid of $472m. 

[via PHONE Mag]