FCC delays 700MHz spectrum auction by 8 days, finalizes bidding rules

Back in August, it seemed pretty certain that the 700MHz spectrum auction would go down on January 16th of next year. Now, however, the FCC has officially delayed the auction by eight days to "provide interested parties with additional time after this announcement of competitive bidding procedures to develop business plans, assess market conditions and evaluate the availability of equipment for new 700MHz band services." Reportedly, the aforementioned parties only have from November 19th to December 3rd to fill out a short-form license application, and if all goes as planned, a "mock auction" should commence on January 18th, 2008. If you'd like to get into all the reserve prices, upfront payment deadlines and top secret details about the hors d'oeuvres that will likely be served at the forthcoming event, feel free to hit the read link for all 122 mind-numbing pages. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via PhoneScoop]

[tarrence @ Oct 9th 2007 5:46PM]

whats so good about 700Mhz?

[ThePengwin @ Oct 9th 2007 7:55PM]

The distance this signal can go is probably what everyone is thinking about. In Australia Telstra (the evil overlord of all things phone and mobile related) have thier next generation mobiles on 800MHz and boast about its coverage.

[FireFox @ Oct 9th 2007 5:48PM]

I don't get that FCC has the right to sell something that isn't a thing. Everybody can do 700Mhz with the right equipment.

[Chris Macdonald @ Oct 9th 2007 5:52PM]

If you're that much of an idiot don't read this...

[Chris Macdonald @ Oct 9th 2007 5:56PM]

The FCC regulates the radio spectrum. If you run something on a part of the spectrum that someone has rights to, or if you run a device on a part of the spectrum that you're not supposed to run there, they'll track you down and.. well.. not allow you to continue what you're doing and/or take legal action.

[Chris Macdonald @ Oct 9th 2007 5:58PM]

I don't really know that much about this stuff, can someone tell me if I'm wrong about something?

[Tristan @ Oct 9th 2007 8:08PM]

Wait, you just blasted someone for being "stupid" and now your saying that your the ignorant one?
im just a little confused

[Chris Macdonald @ Oct 9th 2007 8:12PM]

I never said I'm ignorant... I'm saying I know more than him, but I'm not an expert... :|

[wonderz @ Oct 9th 2007 6:16PM]

I guess its like flying an airplane. If you don't have right to fly, you'll probably get escorted down or shot down. ;)

[Jay @ Oct 9th 2007 6:17PM]

I just hope Google wins the auction and bring much needed competition and change to the wireless phone market.

[AKBlade13 @ Oct 9th 2007 6:49PM]

If Google, Apple, and even (thought I somewhat hate saying this) MS all get a piece of it...

By all means Sprint, Verizon, ATT/Cingular, and almost all other cell phone companies would be heavily screwed.

AKBlade13

[Puck @ Oct 9th 2007 6:45PM]

If it broadcasts, the FCC is involved with it:
Radio, TV, wireless, it all goes through the FCC. Since this spectrum once belonged to TV--who was forced into going all digital by 2008--this spectrum is now opened up to other parties. This was the bulk of the frequencies as this level passed through walls of pretty much all magnitudes making it the new goldmine for a wireless or cellular technology who can claim it.

If you ever wanted coast-to-coast broadband wireless--which Google did--this is what you throw all your money at. Which is why you see the stories of AT&T throwing 2.3+ billion to win it. No one would be complaining about iPhone service with this as their new service backbone.

[Anthony Huff @ Oct 9th 2007 6:52PM]

Its funny to listen to cable and telecommunication giants bicker about Googles interests and long term goals all of which bring more power to the people.

[thethirdmoose @ Oct 9th 2007 7:17PM]

I think i'm gonna buy exactly 1 Hz of the 700 MHz spectrum, just for fun.
Anyone know how much it's gonna cost me?

[Randomness @ Oct 9th 2007 7:52PM]

It's sold in blocks of spectrum.

[Twitchy @ Oct 9th 2007 8:32PM]

Maybe we should start a fund - Engadget owned spectrum FTW!

[MARC @ Oct 9th 2007 10:52PM]

Qualcomm's already using 700MHz for media, mobile TV, streaming video, etc. It's doubtful the spectrum will be used for traditional cellular, but rather for mobile video of some type due to it's wide bandwidth, range and stability. More...

AT&T Mobility said it will pay $2.5 billion in cash for all of Aloha Partners L.P.’s 700 MHz spectrum, apparently signaling Aloha’s exit from the mobile broadcast space.

AT&T, which said it remains committed to using Qualcomm Inc.’s MediaFLO network for multimedia wireless broadcasts, said the deal gives it 12 megahertz of spectrum covering 196 million people in 281 markets. AT&T Mobility said the deal is expected to close in the next six to nine months.

Representatives from Aloha Partners were not available to comment on the deal.

Aloha Partners is currently trialing its HiWire DVB-H network in Las Vegas with partner T-Mobile USA Inc. HiWire was the remaining DVB-H player in the U.S. market following Crown Castle International Corp.’s decision to spin off its Modeo business in July, thereby exiting the mobile TV business.

HiWire faced stiff competition in the mobile TV space, however; Qualcomm’s MediaFLO business has signed mobile TV deals with Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility.

AT&T Mobility, meanwhile, said it has yet to decide how it will use the 700 MHz spectrum. Spokesman Michael Coe said the operator still plans to deploy mobile video services with MediaFLO, and may offer multimedia services to other carriers—just as Aloha had planned to do.

“We’ll use the spectrum either for broadcast mobile video or two-way voice and data services, but not both,” said Coe. “We’ll make that determination based on what’s best for our customers.”

AT&T has been on a buying spree in recent months; earlier this year the carrier announced an agreement to acquire Dobson Communications Corp. for $2.8 billion.

The news comes as AT&T and the rest of the wireless industry gear up for the 700 MHz spectrum auction, set to begin early next year. Up for grabs are around 1,000 licenses in the valuable 700 MHz band.

[BoZs13 @ Oct 10th 2007 2:05AM]

Dang I'm getting antsy. I think Google (and maybe, just maybe apple) get it. Nah, rather have Google. I dono, it all depends on the plans of the companies :) I guess we'll have to see.