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FCC Chairman: D-block, AWS-3 auctions won't happen in 2008
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FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that neither the D-block re-auction nor the Advanced Wireless Services-3 auction will likely happen this year. "I think it's very difficult to [start either auction in 2008] because in both cases the commission sought... additional comments. For us to complete either of the auctions by the end of this year, I think that makes it difficult," Martin was quoted as saying in RCR Wireless News.
During a conference with reporters, Martin said it might be possible to start one of the auctions, most likely the D-block auction, but he didn't believe that would even happen. Comments on the FCC's rulemaking for the D-block re-auction were filed last month with reply comments arriving last week. The D-block band, designed for a public-private partnership, failed to receive the minimum $1.3 billion bid. The FCC is now looking for ways to make bidders feel more secure since they have to negotiate deals with public safety for part of its use. The FCC recently extended the public comment cycle for the AWS-3 rulemaking process to July 25 and Aug. 11 as T-Mobile raised concerns about potential interference with its existing AWS licenses.
For more:
- check out RCR Wireless News
Related stories:
FCC grants more time for comments on AWS-3 auction plans. AWS-3 story
FCC seeks comments on D-block re-auction. D-block story
Comments
Posted by Anonymous | July 15, 2008 - 5:29pm
The D-block auction may very well become the Katrina for the FCC. Much like FEMA was ill prepared, the FCC may very well yield to politics and telecom lobbists in which the public is shortchanged and exploited by corporate greed. The FCC should continue to cautously proceed in choosing a public/private business model that benefits the general public and public safety responders with restrictions that prevent the incumbent players from stifling an open-access network. We're all doomed if the FCC allows a single winning bidder the freedom to choose how it is going to exploit the general public as a commercial entity. The Commission should not lose sight that the other parts of the 700 mhz spectrum have already been successfully auctioned for the winners to do (and charge)as they wish. But it seems from their comments, they want even more for themselves.
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