WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission said it accepted 38 applications to participate in the upcoming auction of licenses in the 220 MHz band.
The auction is scheduled to begin Sept. 15, and upfront payments are due today. The 220 MHz service auction is considered Phase II of the FCC’s licensing plan for this band. Licensees in Phase I were authorized by lotteries in 1992 and 1993.
Some familiar names, like Nextel and Metricom, appeared on the FCC’s list of accepted applications. Of the 38 applicants, 23 indicated they may bid for all licenses. The remaining 15 applicants listed specific licenses in which they were interested.
Additionally, the FCC noted 32 applications were incomplete and must be resubmitted by the close of business tomorrow. If these applications remain incomplete after tomorrow’s deadline, any upfront payments would be refunded. One application, from Air Spectrum III Inc., was rejected because it was not filed on time.
Some of the applicants requested confidentiality for gross revenues’ data and other information provided on their applications. The FCC rejected this request, saying it will require this information be made public and will address specific requests separately in letters to applicants.
All qualified bidders may participate in a mock auction set for Sept. 11.
The public notice also reiterated the anti-collusion rules barring all communications between auction participants. No communications are allowed between bidders for the same license after the applications are filed.
The FCC also cautioned against “unscrupulous entrepreneurs” who “may attempt to use [the auction] to deceive and defraud unsuspecting investors.”
