BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Telecommunications carriers AT&T and Verizon Wireless and Google Inc. are expected to be among the bidders in a government auction of wireless airwaves scheduled to begin Jan. 24, that could raise as much as 15 billion U.S. dollars for the U.S. Treasury.

    In about three weeks, the Federal Communications Commission will release a full list of application submissions. Companies that filed incomplete applications have a chance to refile by Dec. 28, which also is the auction's deadline for upfront payments.

    The wireless airwaves up for bidding lie on a particularly valuable spectrum band, that's being freed up as part of the switch to digital television in February 2009. The choice airwaves can travel long distances and easily penetrate walls, ideal for high-speed Internet service.

    Mountain View, Calif.-based Google confirmed last week it would bid at least 4.6 billion dollars, while AT&T executives previously indicated they'd participate. Verizon Wireless -- a joint venture between Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group Plc. -- is largely expected to participate, although executives have not confirmed those expectations.

    Privately held Cox Communications Inc., the country's third-largest cable provider, appears to be the only cable operator in on the bidding. Both Time Warner Cable Inc. and Comcast Corp. declined on Monday.

    Comcast, Time Warner and Sprint Nextel Corp. are part of a group that purchased a swath of spectrum last fall through another government auction. Comcast said that purchase provides it with "significant long-term flexibility and many strategic options."

    Also declining to bid is satellite broadcaster DirecTV Group Inc., according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Tuesday.

    Expected bidders also include Frontline Wireless LLC, a technology industry-backed company headed by former federal officials, and low-cost wireless providers MetroPCS Communications Inc. and Leap Wireless International Inc.

    (Agencies)