FCC finalizes bidders for 700 MHz auction
The auction for the 700 MHz part of the spectrum that will be vacated by television broadcasters in February 2009 is set to begin on January 24 of this year. Yesterday the FCC finalized the rules of the auction and the bidders list. The spectrum to be auctioned has been divided into five blocks
labeled A - E with blocks A, B and E consisting of regional licenses that will allow smaller companies such as Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company and Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative to gain access to the spectrum for wireless Internet service.
The major bidding will be on blocks C and D where powerhouse players such as Google, AT&T and Verizon will compete for spectrum. There is mystery around who will compete for the D block now that Frontline Wireless was unable to come up with the money ($128 million deposit by Jan 4th) to enter the auction. Whoever wins the D block will be required to build a nation wide network to be used by commercial and public safety communications, which some would-be bidders may not want to get involved with.
Bidders will remain anonymous throughout the auction and no collusion will be allowed among them. They will not be allowed to share information about bids, bidding strategies or any settlements that may affect the post-auction market structure. The bidding begins with two rounds on the 24th of January followed by three rounds on every weekday until the auction ends.
[via ars technica]
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