Small businesses get new rules for bidding on wireless spectrum licenses

The US communications regulator changed how it defines a small business for wireless spectrum auctions. This means fewer companies will qualify for discounts when bidding on licenses.

For years, some large companies used loopholes to qualify for 'small business' discounts in spectrum auctions. This allowed them to acquire valuable wireless licenses at a lower cost than intended. The new rules aim to close these loopholes, ensuring that the discounts actually go to smaller, independent companies.