The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia refused to delay the advanced wireless services (AWS) auction that is set to begin Aug. 9, concluding that "a stay is decidedly contrary to the public interest." Council Tree Communications, Bethel Native and the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council sought to stay the auction earlier this month while it seeks to overturn the FCC's decision to extend "designated entity," or small-business license sale restrictions from five to 10 years and to deny incentives to DEs that resell or lease more than 50 percent of their spectrum capacity. DEs are entitled to wireless license discounts up to 25 percent. The auction is expected to fetch the U.S. Treasury about $15 billion.
For more about the appeals court's refusal to stay the auction:
- read this article from Dow Jones