WASHINGTON-With the numbers showing net revenues of $80.7 million at the end of round 142 last Wednesday, and with 14 new high bids garnered, there was hope at press time that the 800 MHz specialized mobile radio auction would be over by Thanksgiving. Sixteen bidders remain in the running during this latest Federal Communications Commission sale, down from an original 62.
Nextel Communications Inc.’s bidding arm, Nextel License Acquisition Co., held high bids on 488 of 525 licenses in 175 markets, for a total net commitment of $75.6 million. Nevada Wireless had high bids on 10 licenses totaling $380,250; Southern Co. had pledged $1 million on seven licenses costing; Silver Palm Communications Inc. had four high bids for $69,550; Jamestown Communications Inc. spent $102,000 for two licenses; and High Tech Communications Services, North Sight Communications Inc., Communications Pacific Inc., Mountain SMR Group and Hawaiian SMR Co. each had one license. High bids on the remaining nine licenses are held among six other bidders.
If the auction did not end Nov. 26 after press time, bidding will recommence today.
On Nov. 25, the FCC released its 1998 spectrum-auction schedule that puts the local multipoint distribution service sale first, with Form 175s due Jan. 20, upfront payments due Feb. 2 and the actual auction starting Feb. 18. Coming next will be the Phase II 220 MHz auction of 908 licenses (30 regional licenses and 875 economic-area licenses), with short forms due April 20; upfront payments due May 4 and the auction beginning May 19.
The commission was less specific on the start times for seven other planned auctions, and it would only release tentative quarter dates. During third-quarter 1998, expect to see the following sales begin: C-block license reauctions, 39 GHz auction, 929 MHz-931 MHz paging auction, 800 MHz SMR auction (lower 80 and general category channels) and the location monitoring services auction. During the fourth quarter, public coast stations and pending analog broadcast licenses will be auctioned.
