Without disagreeing with the lose-lose-lose premise how do you draw the blame to the auction mechanism? The telecoms are in control of their bid values. The government policy makers are in control of minimum bids, related contingencies, and how the proceeds are spent. And yes, consumers are saddled with the confluence of the two.

With those controlling factors or problems Im not clear how a different mechanism, say fixed rates and allocations, is above the same failings?