The Federal Communications Commission is reportedly planning to auction more than 150 PCS licenses early next year that would include licenses returned to the government agency by NextWave Telecom Inc. as well as other licenses returned to the FCC or that have failed to sell in previous auctions. The licenses are expected to include a number of top markets including Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Seattle.
The FCC did not return calls regarding the possible auction by RCR Wireless News press time.
Analysts have noted any potential auction of spectrum would likely garner interest from many of the nation’s wireless operators, though few expect the bidding frenzy of the 2001 auction that eventually generated more than $16 billion in bids.
The auction would be the third time the FCC has attempted to place what has become known as NextWave’s spectrum into the hands of the wireless industry following the original PCS auctions in 1996 and the commission’s failed attempt to re-auction the spectrum in early 2001.
NextWave announced April 20 that it would return 60 of its PCS licenses or 72 percent of its once immense spectrum portfolio to the FCC as part of an agreement designed to remove barriers for the company to either auction or build out its remaining holdings. NextWave reported earlier this month it planned to auction six of its remaining licenses next month, including a highly sought after 10 megahertz in New York City for a minimum of bid of $1 billion.
