Alltel Wireless told the FCC that it is interested in the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auctions and also advised the commission to ignore requests by Frontline Wireless and others to set aside a portion of the spectrum for a national public/private network. Alltel proposed that the FCC divide the spectrum into multiple license blocks of at least 11 megahertz and small geographic areas, like Cellular Market Areas, which split the country into about 700 separate licenses. Alltel also called Frontline Wireless' plan "last-minute" and "self-serving." Frontline asked the FCC to set aside a 10 megahertz block in the upper 700 MHz band for a national commercial license that would be shared with public safety officials.
MetroPCS has also made some 700 MHz moves lately: it informed the SEC that its wireless subsidiary plans to spend at least some of the $1.3 billion in notes it recently offered for "financing participation in and acquisition of additional spectrum in the [FCC's] upcoming 700 MHz auction.
For more on the auction:
- read this report from RCR