Last week, the FCC granted 4,041 licences to winners in the 3.45 GHz auction, which ended at the start of this year, even as the US regulator prepares to release further airwaves in 2022. The auction was largely overshadowed by the huge C-band sale in 2021, and was seen a an incremental sale, but in fact its gross proceeds, at $22.5bn, made it the third largest in US history. Jessica Rosenworcel, the FCC’s chair, said the 3.45 GHz auction, or Auction 110, has achieved its goal of improving service provider diversity and boosting competition. “The results speak for themselves,” she said. “The licences we are granting today represent a wider variety of providers, including small businesses and rural…