US regulator announces date of 700MHz spectrum auction

And now the various telecoms and high-tech industry players, that for the last 18 months have been hanging on FCC chairman Kevin Martin’s every word, can commence preparations for taking part in the billion dollar bonanza featuring 1,099 licenses in the 698 – 806 MHz band.

Proposed reserve prices already total more than US$10,053,000,000 for all five blocks of the sought-after spectrum that are being described by the normally far from fanciful FCC as “prime beach-front property.”

The frequency blocks are broken down into five lettered bands. They cover 176 licenses over various economic sectors in the A Block, 734 licenses for cell operator markets in the B Block, 176 licenses over economic sectors in the E Block, 12 licenses reserved for so-called regional economic sectors for the C Block, and the one Public/Private designated nationwide licence in the D Block.

In the publication notifying the public of the date of the impending auction, the FCC also proposes new rules that will govern the competitive bidding procedures and is asking for urgent industry feedback on them. The FCC says it is changing the status quo to ensure a level playing field for all those bidding in the upcoming auction.

Back on August 17, the FCC issued a Public Notice outlining its intention to create “detailed procedures” for Auction 73,as the sale of the 700 MHz band is referred to.