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FCC publishes 700 Mhz auction bidder list
Add to Dec. 20, 2007 The Federal Communications Commission says it has published the names of the bidders for the 700 Mhz auction, revealing some familiar names and even a few surprises. The auction is to be held on Jan. 24, 2008 and some expect it to last close to eight days or even more. The FCC says it has received about 268 applications that showed a preponderance of smaller phone and wireless companies in the mix, including Bluegrass Wireless, Northeast Nebraska Phone Company, Poka Lambro Telecom and Rural Telephone Service Co. As was greatly anticipated, Verizon Wireless and AT&T have filed their own applications along with Alltel, Leap and Metro-PCS.  Also as was expected for some months now, Frontline Wireless filed for the national/public-safety license. Google didn't disappoint either, as its own application has been on file since mid-November. Google said it will be needing capital financing of up to $4.6 billion in order to be able to bid for the wireless spectrum. It is possible that some of their plans may have been overshadowed by Google's declaration to bid, but a number of broadcast and cable entities also filed their applications. Among those are Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Cox Communications, Cablevision Systems and even EchoStar. Some were surprised when the FCC said that more than 53 percent of the auction applications were deemed incomplete. Those applicants now how until Jan. 4, 2008 to re-submit their corrected applications.  The official deadline has been confirmed for 6 PM EST on Jan. 4, 2008 and upfront payments must be made for the auction. Other industry observers were surprised that an application was filed from Vulcan Spectrum, a venture led by Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen. Allen heads an investment company called Vulcan Capital and is also a long-time majority shareholder in U.S. cable company Charter Communications. Allen has not yet made any public comment regarding his interest in the wireless spectrum or his plans for bidding. Add to Source: Wireless Week  
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