What Select Spectrum does

Select Spectrum is a Virginia-based LLC founded in 2010 that operates as a specialized brokerage, marketing, and consulting firm for the U.S. FCC licensed spectrum secondary market. The company represents buyers, sellers, and lessees of spectrum across more than 20 FCC bands spanning 150 MHz to 40 GHz, including narrowband, wideband, broadband (2.5 GHz EBS/BRS, CBRS, Band 54, Upper 700 MHz A Block), and millimeter wave frequencies. Its primary customer segments are utilities (electric, gas, water), WISPs, educational institutions holding EBS licenses, passenger and freight rail, and oil and gas pipeline operators.

The firm has built proprietary spectrum databases and mapping systems used internally for valuation and comparable transaction analysis, and operates two web platforms: Spectrum Search, a public database for searching licensed spectrum by location or frequency, and Spectrum Marketplace, a private online marketplace for 2.5 GHz and CBRS spectrum transactions with a no-sign-up-fee, success-only commission model. These platforms are complemented by transaction services (buy, sell, lease brokerage) and consulting services covering valuations, license management (renewal filings, build-out, FCC proceedings), and FCC auction advisory.

Select Spectrum generates revenue through success-only commissions on closed transactions in the Spectrum Marketplace and through fees for professional consulting services. The firm has facilitated over 300 transactions since 2010 representing several hundred million dollars in client transaction value. Distribution occurs through direct enterprise sales by a small team of spectrum listing agents, the proprietary online platforms, and active participation in industry trade associations (UTC, WISPA, NEBSA, UBBA, WCAI). Leadership includes founder and President Robert Finch, a former Sprint Nextel VP of spectrum development, and Managing Director Andreas Bitzarakis, with a team that has alumni ties to MCI WorldCom and Ciena.

Name

Select Spectrum

Legal name

Select Spectrum LLC

Website

https://selectspectrum.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Select Spectrum is a Virginia-based broker and consulting firm founded in 2010 that facilitates transactions in the U.S. FCC licensed spectrum secondary market. It serves utilities, WISPs, educational institutions, rail, and oil & gas operators via its Spectrum Marketplace platform and proprietary spectrum databases.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mclean

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Transaction-based Commission: Select Spectrum earns commissions on a success-only basis — only receiving payment when a spectrum transaction (buy, sell, or lease) is closed. This aligns the company's incentives directly with client outcomes.
2. Marketing, Brokerage and Consulting Services: The company generates revenue from marketing, brokerage, and consulting fees related to spectrum transactions, regulatory guidance, valuations, and license management services for licensed wireless spectrum holders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Select Spectrum provides marketing, brokerage, and consulting services for FCC spectrum licenses across more than 20 spectrum bands from 150 MHz to 40 GHz. The firm operates two proprietary online platforms — Spectrum Search (a public database for searching licensed spectrum by location or frequency) and Spectrum Marketplace (a private online marketplace for 2.5 GHz and CBRS spectrum licenses) — alongside transaction services (buy/lease and sell/lease) and consulting services (spectrum valuations, license management, and FCC auction advisory).

Product overview

Select Spectrum operates a platform-plus-services model centered on its proprietary Spectrum Marketplace and Spectrum Search platforms for licensed wireless spectrum transactions. The Spectrum Marketplace is a premier online platform for 2.5 GHz (EBS/BRS) and CBRS spectrum leasing and sales, while Spectrum Search provides a public database for searching available licenses by location or frequency. These platforms are supported by transaction services (buy/lease and sell/lease) and consulting services (valuations, license management, and FCC auction services). The company represents over 20 different FCC spectrum bands ranging from 150 MHz to 40 GHz, including narrowband, broadband, and millimeter wave frequencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Spectrum Marketplace: Premier online platform for 2.5 GHz (Band 41) and CBRS (3.55 GHz, Band 48) spectrum licenses for lease or sale.
• Spectrum Search

Products and services

• Spectrum Marketplace Premier online platform for leasing and selling 2.5 GHz (Band 41) and CBRS (3.55 GHz, Band 48) spectrum licenses, providing a streamlined process for buyers and sellers to acquire or monetize licensed mid-band spectrum on a success-only commission basis.
• Spectrum Search Public online database allowing users to search available spectrum licenses by location or frequency across 22 spectrum bands from 150 MHz to 40 GHz.
• Buy or Lease Services Transaction services helping organizations locate and acquire wireless licenses across more than 20 FCC spectrum bands ranging from 150 MHz to 40 GHz.
• Sell or Lease Services Marketing and brokerage services helping spectrum holders monetize their assets through sales, leases, and other arrangements, with proven returns exceeding $500M across over 300 transactions since 2010.
• Valuations In-depth spectrum appraisals for licensed spectrum holders including electric utilities, WISPs, and investors, using proprietary databases of comparable transactions and up-to-date population metrics.
• License Management Managed services including spectrum manager leasing facilitation, ecosystem development, FCC proceedings engagement, build-out/construction, substantial service showings, and renewal filings.
• FCC Auction Services Advisory and bidding services for FCC auction proceedings, including pre-short form advisement, auction price forecasts, auction bidding services, and post-auction business case development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 successful transactions facilitated across diverse spectrum bands since 2010
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Access SpectrumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2025Select Spectrum announced a partnership with Access Spectrum to facilitate Upper 700 MHz A Block wireless solutions for U.S. industries. The partnership is aimed at providing industries with access to licensed Upper 700 MHz A Block spectrum for wireless applications including NB-IoT, SCADA, and private LTE networks.
• PulolicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelect Spectrum and Puloli have partnered to advance LTE NB-IoT network deployments in the Upper 700 MHz A Block (Band 103). This includes joint announcements of private LTE NB-IoT networks and new module compatibility for critical infrastructure industries. Puloli and Select Spectrum have also partnered with JEA (Jacksonville, FL) for LTE NB-IoT solutions in wastewater utility applications.
• National Educational Broadband Services Association (NEBSA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNEBSA is a trade association for which Select Spectrum is a member and active participant in conferences and trade shows. NEBSA represents educational institutions holding EBS spectrum licenses.
• Wireless Internet Service Provider Association (WISPA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWISPA is a trade association for which Select Spectrum is a member and active participant in conferences including WISPAPALOOZA.
• Wireless Communication Association International (WCAI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWCAI is a trade association for which Select Spectrum is a member and active participant in industry conferences.
• Utilities Telecom Council (UTC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerUTC is a trade association representing utilities in the telecommunications sector. Select Spectrum actively participates in UTC regional events and the annual UTC Telecom & Technology conference. Robert Finch serves as a speaker at UTC events.
• Ubiquitous Broadband Alliance (UBBA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerUBBA is a trade association for critical infrastructure industries. Select Spectrum is a member and participant in UBBA Summits & Plugfest events, where Robert Finch presented on Spectrum Options for 4G & 5G Private Networks.
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)minorOthersSelect Spectrum team members work with IEEE on wireless technology standards. The company markets licenses compatible with the IEEE 802.16s standard for critical infrastructure communications and is working to support the 802.16t revision.
• 3GPPminorOthersSelect Spectrum promotes spectrum bands (Upper 700 MHz A Block as Band 103) that are standardized by 3GPP for LTE NB-IoT, 4G, and 5G services.
• Ligado NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelect Spectrum works in concert with Ligado Networks to offer Band 54 (1670-1675 MHz) spectrum licenses nationwide. Ligado is a key spectrum partner whose licenses Select Spectrum represents in the secondary market for private 4G/5G networks targeting the Utility and Critical Infrastructure Industry (UCII) sector.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Access Spectrum: US-based spectrum brokerage and advisory firm focused on FCC spectrum transactions, including Upper 700 MHz A Block. Select Spectrum listed Access Spectrum as a strategic partner in Jan 2025, but Access Spectrum independently brokers spectrum, making it the closest direct competitor in the niche.
• Communication Equity Associates (CEA), part of ORIX Corporation USA: Telecom-focused investment bank and brokerage firm that has historically advised on US spectrum and wireless M&A. Comparable to Select Spectrum in serving buyers and sellers of telecom assets and spectrum rights, with a broader M&A-advisory wrapper.
• Telecom Capital Group: Specialist investment bank focused on the telecommunications sector, including spectrum, towers, and wireless assets. Comparable to Select Spectrum in serving buyers and sellers of telecom/spectrum rights with M&A and capital-raising support.

Emerging players

• Spectrum Exchange (spectrumauctions / online trading platforms): Online platforms and advisory services facilitating FCC spectrum transactions and auctions. Comparable in providing brokerage-style services for spectrum rights, with a more auction-process focus than Select Spectrum's full-lifecycle brokerage model.
• Federated Wireless: CBRS Spectrum Access System (SAS) administrator and private 4G/5G enablement provider. Comparable as an ecosystem participant that helps monetize CBRS spectrum Select Spectrum brokers, though Federated operates in the technology stack rather than as a broker.

Broad incumbents

• Berkery Noyes: Independent investment bank with a long-standing focus on media, software, and telecommunications M&A. Comparable to Select Spectrum's sell-side advisory work for spectrum and telecom asset owners, though Berkery Noyes operates across the broader information industry.
• Waller Capital Partners: Telecom-focused investment bank advising on US telecom and media M&A. Comparable to Select Spectrum on spectrum and telecom asset transactions where sellers/investors seek M&A advisory alongside brokerage services.
• PJ Solomon / Solomon Partners (Telecom Group): Independent advisory firm with a dedicated telecom practice advising on spectrum, towers, and wireless M&A. Comparable to Select Spectrum in serving as a sell-side/intermediary advisor for spectrum and telecom asset owners, though Solomon operates as a broad-line advisor.

Regional players

• Salem Partners: Investment bank with a telecom and digital infrastructure advisory practice covering spectrum, towers, and fiber assets. Comparable to Select Spectrum in providing valuation and advisory services tied to telecom/spectrum transactions.

Others

• Ligado Networks: US spectrum holder whose Band 54 (1670–1675 MHz) licenses Select Spectrum represents in the secondary market. Comparable as an adjacent market participant with overlapping Band 54 go-to-market, while Ligado is also a partner — included here for the spectrum-holder adjacency rather than as a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZclWUPOQ1hH1l2BrplV6mg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/select-spectrum
• Xx.com/selectspectrum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Select Spectrum