WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission last week raised nearly $411 million as it sold 2,173 licenses for fixed wireless service in the 39 GHz band.
“Winning bidders have the potential to create robust competition to the local telephone companies and other local service providers. This should result in lower prices and more choices for consumers,” said FCC Chairman William Kennard.
Winstar Communications Inc.’s subsidiary, Winstar Wireless Fiber Corp., bid more than $161 million for 931 licenses.
The auction, which began April 12, ended after 73 rounds of bidding. Of the 29 winning bidders, 18 claimed small-business status.
“The auction also created significant opportunities for small businesses, which acquired 849 licenses in 171 markets for various exciting new wireless services. This represents almost 40 percent of the total number of licenses won,” said Thomas Sugrue, chief of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
A total of 277 licenses were not bought at the auction and will be part of a future auction.
Licenses were auctioned in 172 economic areas across the United States, including cities such as New York, won by Winstar for nearly $7.8 million; Los Angeles, won by Hyperion Communications for more than $5.3 million; and Chicago, won by Hyperion for more than $6.7 million.
License winners must make down payments and file long-form applications by May 25.
