The U.S. and China are competing for control over these vital pieces of infrastructure.

In November, a warning from the Federal Aviation Administration about safety concerns led to AT&T and Verizon postponing the launch.

The Facebook property has become a business lifeline in countries where other communication alternatives are expensive or inaccessible.

“We are at an inflection point,” said Carmen Tapio, founder and CEO of North End Teleservices.

Mid-band frequencies are often described as the Goldilocks range of the spectrum, where 5G signals fly fast and far.

The airwaves on the auction block include frequencies in what’s called the mid-band range, allowing 5G signals to travel fast and far.

Many products are now sold using “package auctions” for a more efficient allocation of goods.

The winning economists designed auctions that allow for multiple bids over a period of time.

The tech giant sells three times more phones than Apple in China. It has developed into a smartphone superpower in the last five years.

Critics say this isn’t so much about security as it is about eliminating prospective competition.