700 MHz: Clearwire, Sprint Nextel out; Leap, VZW, others in: FCC set to release full bidder list

The identities of likely 700 MHz bidders continue to emerge little by little as the Federal Communications Commission gears up to release a complete list of applicants in advance of the auction’s Jan. 24 start date.
Clearwire Corp. became the latest company to the show its cards. The Kirkland, Wash.-based firm, led by wireless pioneer Craig McCaw, said today that it will not bid in the 700 MHz auction. Clearwire made its intentions known in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The announcement comes shortly after the collapse of Clearwire’s WiMAX partnership with Sprint Nextel Corp.
Meantime, Leap Wireless International Inc. told the SEC it filed-through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary-to compete for licenses in the 700 MHz auction. In its filing, Leap also said Denali Spectrum License L.L.C., an entity in which Leap has a non-controlling indirect interest, also filed applications to participate in the auction.
Other parties indicating they plan to bid on 700 MHz licenses are Google Inc., Frontline Wireless L.L.C., Verizon Wireless and Cox Communications Inc. AT&T Inc., the top U.S. mobile phone operator, is expected to participate in the auction.
Sprint Nextel previously said it will not be involved in the 700 MHz auction.
The deadline for 700 MHz applicants’ up-front payments is Dec. 28. The FCC will conduct the auction largely in the dark to guard against anti-competitive behavior. The agency will announce high bids at the end of each round, but will not release names of winning bidders until after the auction ends.