The Federal Communications Commission’s first spectrum auction in four years concluded with bids totaling more than $3.57 Billion. After 72 rounds of bidding from 17 qualified bidders, the auction absolves DISH Wireless subsidiaries Northstar Wireless LLC and SNR Wireless LicenseCo LLC from having to pay the $2.9 billion settlement amount to the FCC agreed upon in May for defaults in FCC Auction 97. Up to $3.3 Billion of the auction’s proceeds will be used to cover amounts borrow to support the FCC’s “rip and replace” program and other Commerce Department programs.