700 Mhz

WHAT IS THE 700 MHz BAND? cont'd

Licensees for one of the spectrum blocks to be auctioned – the large, 22-megahertz Upper 700 MHz C Block – will be required to provide a platform that is more open to devices and applications. These licensees will be required to allow customers, device manufacturers, third-party application developers, and others to use any device or application of their choice on their networks in this band, subject to certain conditions.
The FCC also adopted several changes to the 700 MHz band plan and the build-out requirements for licensees.

WHEN WILL THE SPECTRUM BE MADE AVAILABLE?

Auction of 700 MHz Band licenses has been scheduled for January 16, 2008.
In the upcoming 700 MHz auction, the FCC will use “anonymous” bidding procedures, in which any information that may indicate specific applicants’ interests in the auction, including their license selections and bidding activity, is withheld until after the close of the auction. These procedures will be used irrespective of any pre-auction measurement of likely competition in the auction.
The FCC will use “package bidding” procedures when auctioning the 12 licenses in the Upper 700 MHz Band C Block in order to assist bidders that are seeking to create a nationwide footprint.
The FCC has released a Public Notice seeking comments on detailed procedures for the auction. Interested parties are required to file comments by August 31, 2007, and reply comments by September 7, 2007.