The FCC said NextWave Telecom Inc. executive Janice Obuchowski illegally lobbied Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Michele Farquhar in connection with 63 personal communications services licenses that were challenged on foreign ownership and other grounds after the firm paid nearly $5 billion for them in the C-block auction.
Obuchowski, according to a Nov. 22 memorandum written by Farquhar, voiced concern about the agency’s probe of NextWave and “warned me that NextWave would be calling the Office of the General Counsel and the Chairman’s office to complain about the bureau’s handling of the proceeding.”
Farquhar said she told Obuchowski the FCC planned “to take swift action on all remaining C-block licenses and that the bureau would show not special consideration towards or against NextWave or any other applicant.” Farquhar said she did not discuss the merits of the case, which is restricted. That means lobbying, except for status checks, are banned.
The call, said Farquhar, lasted about 5 minutes.
A NextWave spokeswoman said there was not a deliberate attempt to violate any rules, Obuchowski could not be reached for comment.
