WASHINGTON-At the end of 32 rounds of bidding, a subsidiary of Nextel Communications Inc. has bid the most for guard-band manager licenses, while Pegasus Guard Band L.L.C. has joined in the fray for the largest markets.
The FCC began auctioning off six megahertz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band (TV channels 60-69) on Sept. 6 to entities that will then lease the spectrum to private-wireless entities or to others that will employ systems that will not interfere with adjacent public-safety operations. The six megahertz has been split into two licenses of four- and two-megahertz, respectively. More than 100 licenses are available.
As guard-band managers, winning bidders will lease the spectrum for private internal use. Private systems equate closer to public-safety systems so it is believed there will be less interference.
Pegasus has made the most high bids at 33, but Nextel Spectrum Acquisition Corp. has bid the most money, at nearly $300 million for 28 licenses.
Coming in third is Access Spectrum L.L.C., which has bid nearly $52 million for 23 licenses. Access Spectrum is the spectrum-purchasing entity formed by Mark E. Crosby. Crosby is president of the Industrial Telecommunications Association and an ardent advocate for more spectrum for private-wireless entities.
