Federal regulators late last week approved final rules for the 900 MHz specialized mobile radio service auction on Nov. 28.
The Federal Communications Commission said 1,020 licenses, or 20 1-channel blocks in 51 major trading areas, will be sold in a simultaneous multiple round auction.
The agency adopted a tiered system of bidding discounts for small businesses. SMR operators will be allowed to sell parts of their service areas to rural telephone companies.
FCC Commissioner Andrew Barrett, who believes the agency has retreated on affirmative action more than it had to, supported the 900 MHz SMR ruling and said he was “prepared to take the appropriate steps to make diversity of ownership in the telecommunications marketplace a firm commission objective, not simply an exercise for satisfying a statutory requirement.”
Unlicensed PCS announced
Ericsson Inc. said it is developing a personal communications services system and handset aimed at business users for use on the 1920 MHz to 1930 MHz unlicensed frequency.
Freeset 1900 complies with the Federal Communications Commission’s Part 15D rules for unlicensed PCS, said the company. Freeset incorporates the American National Standards Institute interoperability standard, Ericsson noted.
Weighing in at 4.6 ounces, measuring 5.75 inches by 2 inches by 2/3 inches, Ericsson’s Freeset handset’s battery provides 9 hours talk and 45 hours standby time.
Pending regulatory approvals, delivery of Freeset will begin second quarter 1996.
Service concession issued
The Vietnamese Ministry approved issuing a wireless services concession to Saigon PTS Corp., which is in partnership with Telecommunications American International Inc., announced Extreme Technologies Inc.-a 40 percent owner in TAI.
The TAI and Saigon PCS joint venture, USA TeleCom, will develop and manage a cellular network, international long-distance gateway and telephone calling centers and will manufacture telecommunications equipment, said Extreme of Vancouver, British Columbia. The venture also plans to provide broadcast and cable TV services.
