The Federal Communications Commissions’ Auction No. 55 of Specialized Mobile Radio service licenses in the 900 MHz band will take place as scheduled Feb. 11, 2004, despite requests for a postponement from the United Telecom Council and Southern Communications Service Inc.
UTC and Southern Communications requested the auction be postponed until the 800 MHz issue can be resolved, saying uncertainty around the 800 MHz band makes it difficult for 900 MHz bidders to develop business plans with regard to spectrum, which would be in conflict with the Communications Act.
The FCC disagreed, claiming the public interest would be better served if the auction commenced as scheduled. “We do not believe that the statutory requirement to provide prospective bidders with time to develop a business plan and evaluate the availability of equipment requires the Commission to postpone an auction until every external factor that might influence a bidder’s business plan is resolved with absolute certainty,” read the FCC’s decision.
As previously announced, the auction will include licenses in the 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz bands.
