FCC To Vote on D-Block Resurrection Plan

FCC To Vote on D-Block Resurrection Plan
By Wireless Week Staff
WirelessWeek - September 25, 2008



If at first you don’t succeed in selling, cut the price and announce a sale. That seems to be FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s strategy with the failed D-Block from the 700 MHz auctions held earlier this year.

The FCC is scheduled to vote today on Martin’s plan to slash the minimum bid from $1.3 billion to $750 million. The plan also proposes splitting up the geographic areas into 58 regions as well as easing other requirements for bidders.

The FCC closed the 700 MHz auction – spectrum that TV broadcasters will return next year – drawing some $19.5 billion in bids and considered a success except for one important swath of airwaves.

The D Block was earmarked for the creation of a public safety network, promising a better, unified, national communication network for emergency first responders. It required a wireless commercial operator to partner with public safety in bringing the network and services to market. However, it failed to meet the minimum required bid.


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