iTWire - 266 would-be bidders for 700MHz spectrum

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266 would-be bidders for 700MHz spectrum

by Stephen Withers
Thursday, 20 December 2007
! 266 organisations have applied to the US Federal Communications Commission to participate in January's auction of 700MHz spectrum, but 170 of those applications have been deemed incomplete. Related stories Is eBay fed up with the auction business? Google in new 'white space' spectrum push FCC orders Comcast to stop arbitrarily blocking Internet traffic eBay rebels react as a major seller on eBay goes bust, issue warning! eBay members ask Australia Post: are Money Orders safe? Those 170 organisations have until January 4, 2008 to fix their applications, as deposits necessary to become a bidder are due that day. Interested companies include AT&T, Cablevision, EchoStar, Google, MetroPCS, US Cellular, Verizon Wireless and (Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's) Vulcan. Many potential bidders are smaller operations, presumably interested in providing wireless service to their home regions. The 700MHz spectrum is becoming free when TV broadcasts switch from analogue to digital in 2009. Largely at Google's urging, the FCC will require the successful bidder for the 'C Block' (an attractive chunk of spectrum) to allow customers to use any compatible device and software, subject to the block attracting a minimum price of $US4.6 billion. If not, it will be re-auctioned without that condition. Google has indicated it is prepared to bid at least that amount. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to post your comment! Tags See All Tags Cellular networks Digital TV Google Government Stephen Withers Telecommunications Telecoms regulation Wireless broadband Get stories like this delivered daily - FREE - subscribe now