FCC: 266 Bidders In 700 MHz Spectrum Auction

Good info it will be interesting.

I dont like seeing Google or Qualcomm in there, i like what they do but I think they should stick to what they do. I do think Google should make an MVNO I think its a better fit. They can use their apps and UI on a well established network.

could you imagine Paul Allen with a ton of 700 spectrum next you will see the Zune Phone running on its own network, dont dare download anything not approved or the OS will tattle on you.

 

Qualcomm I don't care for, but whats wrong with Google?

 

just prefere companies to stay in their lane so to speak. I dont have a problem with google I use of lots of their stuff.

 

Google usually does things right. They also have a plenty of capital and plenty of name recognition. I have confidence that they could built out a network with some interesting offerings.

 

yep, i like seeing google in there.

 

I agree they have the name and capital and it would be nice to see more competition with a National carrier vs a regional one, but I do wonder if they will hit alot of roadblocks with tower buildout's in the more populated area's?
I know around here most of the towers are full, so they would have to do ground up build outs which maybe a problem.

 

That is a good point. The more populated areas are usually the most profitable markets and it would be hard to roll out a network in many such markets.

Would it be possible mount an omni on top of a monopole if it is already crammed to capacity? I am sure that is not ideal but it is the best way I can see to build out some areas where there are already 5 and 6 carriers. If Google has to get approval for new towers it would take forever to build out a large network.

 

Here are the full lists in pdf form from the FCC.

The 1st pdf is informational, the 2nd lists the 96 bidders with accepted bidding applications, and the 3rd lists bidders with currently incomplete applications.

 

Including a Beta phone.

 

Joe thanks for the files I am very very excited for this I have been waiting a long time.

 

It's interesting how the major players have incomplete applications...
Surely, it cant be the money, right?

 

No I think they just know something we dont lol

 

Well 214 of the 266 actually qualified to bid.

The 1st attachment is a pdf of those who qualified, the 2nd is a list of those that did not.

 

So USCC is out?? (USCC AUCTION 73, LLC) If I'm reading that right that's a surprise they're not looking to target a license.

 

Maybe TDS has a d/b/a company doing the auction like Verizon is.

 

Thanks Joe I appreciate it.

Yeah and just for the record Verizon uses Cellco for anyone interested.

 

Martin: 700 MHz show will go on

Martin: 700 MHz show will go on - RCR Wireless News

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said Wall Street woes and recession fears could affect the 700 MHz auction and tacitly conceded disappointment that Frontline Wireless L.L.C. will not be around to compete, but nonetheless expressed optimism that a bidder will emerge to win a national public safety-commercial wireless license.

“Sure, I’m concerned that the overall economic conditions could end up impacting the auction,” Martin told reporters. “Is it an ideal time to necessarily to conduct an auction? I’m not sure.” Martin pointed out that the FCC is bound by law to go forward with the auction, which is set to begin Jan. 24. Early on, congressional budget experts estimated the 700 MHz auction could generate more than $12 billion for the U.S. Treasury. It is unclear whether economic troubles will force auction revenues downward.

Click here for complete 700 MHz auction coverage.

In addition to highlighting the 700 MHz auction and digital TV transition as short-term priorities for the FCC, Martin also used Tuesday’s news briefing to counter a Wall Street Journal editorial that accused him of tailoring the public safety-commercial licensee — the D Block — to a politically connected startup (Frontline) that recently folded after a year of lobbying for 700 MHz rules and soliciting funding for the ambitious wireless business venture.

“None of the rules that we adopted for any aspect of the spectrum was put in place to facilitate entry by any particular company,” Martin stated. “The D-Block rules that were put in place were done to try to address the concerns that public safety had about having the resources to build out a network with the spectrum that they were going to be getting as a result of the DTV transition. We’ve seen increasingly over the last few years the problem that public safety has raised with interoperability, the ability of local police and local fire departments to be able to communicate back and forth.”

Martin noted that the FCC rejected Frontline’s push for a D Block wholesale mandate. The FCC chief said the 700 MHz auction provides the wireless industry an opportunity to create new competition in a broadband market dominated by landline telephone companies and cable TV operators.

In other matters, Martin said he plans this year to hold a hearing on early termination fees charged by wireless and other communications sectors and that the next round of testing of unlicensed wireless devices in TV white spaces could be officially announced this week.

 

Re: Martin: 700 MHz show will go on

When the ( 3G) 2100 Mhz spectrum went up for auction in Europe (and the rest of the world) around 2001, all the operators over-paid for the spectrum and that hurt them finacially. That (of course) got passed on to their customers in forms of higher rates.

If in this case the bidding is lower than expected, I think that would be a good thing. The less the operator has to pay Uncle Sam, the more $ they have to spend on building the network. That would mean a better and cheaper network for their customers :thumb:

 

I think a few smaller companies that get some 700 will end up selling it off, Look at Aloha partners selling ATT their 700 Mhz. A billion dollars is still alot of money thou.

Alot of people forget that there was already a partial 700 MHZ auction were some companies picked up some smaller chunks of the spectrum.

 

Is there a brief write-up of that auction? I'm curious who's already got spectrum and I've just not seen anything.

 

Here the link were I found it.


FCC Auctions: Summary: Auction 73

 

This is going to be awesome.

I wish it didn't have to take two months until the dust settled.

We can do presidential elections in one night but not FCC auctions? Unfair.