Nwahs
08-20-2007, 01:40 PM
FCC Sets Auction Date for 700 MHz Spectrum (http://www.wirelessweek.com/Article-FCC-Auction-Date.aspx)
FCC Sets Auction Date for 700 MHz Spectrum
By Teresa von Fuchs
WirelessWeek - August 20, 2007
The FCC has settled on Jan. 16, 2008, to auction off licenses for the 700 MHz spectrum. The 700 MHz band has been called the last beachfront property of the U.S. airwaves, as TV broadcasters vacate the spectrum and go digital. The auction is expected to raise at least $10 billion for the treasury.
The commission said the auction will offer a total of 1,099 licenses: 176 licenses in the A Block, 734 in "Cellular Market Areas" or in the B Block, 176 in the E Block, 12 licenses in the C Block and "one nationwide license, to be used as part of the 700 MHz Public/Private Partnership in the D Block."
Rules surrounding the bidding and use of the spectrum have been hotly debated over the last few months, with everyone from top-ranking telecoms to consumer rights groups weighing in with an opinion.
Along with the announcement of the auction date, late last Friday, the FCC also issued a public notice asking for comment on its proposed auction procedures including anonymous bidding, base prices for certain blocks and package bidding for certain licenses in the auction.
The deadline for the first round of comments is Aug. 31, and final reply comments are due by Sept. 7, 2007. We expect comments will again flood the commission's desk from parties all hoping to swing the results of the auction to their favor.
FCC Sets Auction Date for 700 MHz Spectrum
By Teresa von Fuchs
WirelessWeek - August 20, 2007
The FCC has settled on Jan. 16, 2008, to auction off licenses for the 700 MHz spectrum. The 700 MHz band has been called the last beachfront property of the U.S. airwaves, as TV broadcasters vacate the spectrum and go digital. The auction is expected to raise at least $10 billion for the treasury.
The commission said the auction will offer a total of 1,099 licenses: 176 licenses in the A Block, 734 in "Cellular Market Areas" or in the B Block, 176 in the E Block, 12 licenses in the C Block and "one nationwide license, to be used as part of the 700 MHz Public/Private Partnership in the D Block."
Rules surrounding the bidding and use of the spectrum have been hotly debated over the last few months, with everyone from top-ranking telecoms to consumer rights groups weighing in with an opinion.
Along with the announcement of the auction date, late last Friday, the FCC also issued a public notice asking for comment on its proposed auction procedures including anonymous bidding, base prices for certain blocks and package bidding for certain licenses in the auction.
The deadline for the first round of comments is Aug. 31, and final reply comments are due by Sept. 7, 2007. We expect comments will again flood the commission's desk from parties all hoping to swing the results of the auction to their favor.