The AWS-3 airwaves auction has officially ended, bringing in US$44.9 billion in the largest wireless spectrum sale in U.S. history.

AT&T was the largest bidder with US$18.2 billion, winning AWS-3 licenses in New York, California and other heavily developed areas.

Dish Network was also a large bidder, using its joint partnerships with SNR Wireless License Co. and Northstar Wireless to bid US$13.3 billion for wireless in various key states.

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Verizon Wireless was more tempered in its bids, spending US$10.4 billion. T-Mobile only managed to bid US$1.8 billion, most likely in markets AT&T and Verizon Wireless weren't interested in.

Dish Network's large bids weren't expected, considering the recent low-end spectrum auction, where Dish also spent billions. This does add to the rumor Dish is building its own wireless network following the failed attempt at acquiring Sprint.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission will look through the bids and start delivering licenses to the winners. Sprint and Google were not on the auction bid lists, the latter reportedly working on its own wireless network for Google Fiber customers.

Spectrum sales are starting to become a lot more expensive, leaving both T-Mobile and Sprint in the dust. Dish Network has shown they have the capital to win some auctions, but without an actual wireless network the spectrum will only be used to sell to other carriers.

T-Mobile might be looking at the 2016 600 MHz spectrum auction as the place to spend big since this will enhance the LTE and 3G service in offices throughout the U.S.

TagsAT&T, U.S. spectrum, AWS-3 airwaves, Verizon wireless, Dish Network, T-Mobile