OTTAWA - The federal government's wireless spectrum auction has ended, with an unexpected $4.25 billion in bids for space in the cellphone sector crossing the table.

That was more than double the total expected from the auction, which began in May and ended with 331 rounds and bids from 15 players.

Top bidders included telecom giants Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B), Bell Mobility Inc. (TSX:BCE) and Telus Communications Inc. (TSX:T).

The federal government had also set aside a slice of spectrum for newcomers.

One smaller private company, Globalive Wireless, bid $442 million for licences across the country.

Industry Minister Jim Prentice had said he wanted to set aside a portion of the spectrum to increase competition in a cellphone market dominated by Bell, Rogers and Telus.

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