700 MHz: Bidding to start Jan. 16

The Federal Communications Commission set Jan. 16 for the start of the 700 MHz auction, and asked for public comment on competitive bidding procedures for the 1,099 wireless licenses up for grabs. The agency will employ anonymous bidding as a safeguard against anti-competitive behavior in the auction.
The agency earlier this month released the full text of its 700 MHz decision. The ruling is expected to be published this week in the Federal Register, which likely will trigger the filing of petitions for reconsideration.
Meantime, Council Tree Communications Inc. has asked a federal appeals court in Philadelphia to rule on a challenge to small business bidding rules revised by the FCC last year. The case, argued in May, has the potential to overturn the results of the advanced wireless services auction. Such an outcome would have enormous implications for AWS license winners and the competitive field for the 700 MHz auction.