The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati last week stayed the entrepreneur block auction for broadband personal communications services licenses after Radiofone Inc., a cellular operator in New Orleans, challenged PCS-cellular cross-ownership rules.
The Federal Communications Commission planned to auction the 493 PCS licenses on Dec. 11, following a decision by a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., late last month that dissolved a previous stay and affirmed bidding rules that were made race- and gender-neutral after the Supreme Court curbed affirmative action in June.
The entrepreneur block auction originally was scheduled to begin 60 to 90 days following the auction for A- and B-block licenses, which concluded March 13. Radiofone’s action follows three previous delays, each which arose from conflict regarding initial bidding rules that awarded discounts to minority- and women-owned small businesses.
Radiofone declined comment on the action. The company operates three cellular licenses in rurul service areas Louisiana-9 Plaquemines, Michigan-5 Manistee and Washington-3 Ferry.
AT&T invests in CellPort
CellPort Labs Inc., which develops wireless connectivity products, announced AT&T Wireless Services bought an equity stake in the firm.
The Boulder, Colo., firm said the deal allows it to more rapidly bring to market technology that will “accelerate the long-awaited convergence of wireless communications and vehicle electronics systems.”
This technology is configured in an adapter that makes possible universal connectivity for wireless and electronic devices. Potential applications include automatic 911 dialing triggered when an airbag is deployed, facilitated by a Global Positioning System receiver; short message display; intelligent traffic systems, whereby vehicles receive route guidance on their dashboard display; remote vehicle access, in which auto mechanics can dial in to a car’s computer system to identify problems; and package-delivery management.
