WASHINGTON-The personal communications services re-auction of C-, D-, E-, and F-block licenses picked up speed last week as rural markets, ignored during the first week, started gaining some attention. At the end of round six, 128 markets had not received any bids, but this number had dropped to 61 by the end of round 22. On March 29, bidding was accelerated to four rounds per day.
Some insiders believe the smaller markets now are getting attention because people have money to spend, but the big markets have gotten too expensive.
At the end of round 22, Cook Inlet/Voice Stream PCS, which is backed by Western Wireless Corp., remained the highest bidder with 21 high bids, totaling $187.5 million. Cook Inlet remains in control of both the Chicago and Dallas markets, bidding $117.8 million for Chicago and $62.4 million for Dallas. ABC Wireless L.L.C. remains the most active participant in the auction. ABC Wireless has made 62 high bids, totaling $21.6 million.
