A record 39 days of bidding and $4.25 billion came to a head this morning at precisely 11:10, when the gavel came down on Industry Canada's wireless auction.

And our camera was there, in the modest bid room, on Slater Street, in Ottawa, as the clock ticked toward the deadline.

When we arrived at 10:30 a.m., seven, or so, bureaucrats sat around a table eagerly looking at the laptops in front of them — an old, wood gavel was propped up on the table. A white board read : "Day 39" in red, with a list of the morning bids. Two large screen monitors on the walls illustrated who was bidding for what, in which part of Canada.

This is Industry Canada's unassuming electronic auction room. Staff were hoping the phone would not ring with a last minute call from one of the bidders asking for a proactive waiver, which would push the bidding to continue on.

One employee turned on an electronic voice countdown at "Eleven-oh-nine."

Then, tick-tock, and time was up.

11:10 a.m.

They raised their arms and cheered. It was over. Then came the sighs of relief. And, no doubt, thoughts about finally beginning summer holidays.

Meanwhile the government's coffers just got a historic, huge cash infusion.