After much speculation over who might bid in the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction, Google's application has won approval from the FCC, but rivals like AT&T and Verizon Wireless landed on the "incomplete" list and must re-submit their applications in the next several weeks, according to the agency.
The FCC received 266 applications to participate in the January 24 auction. Ninety-six of those applications have been accepted; 170 were deemed incomplete and will be returned to the applicants for revisions.
Accepted applicants will be considered formal bidders when they submit their upfront payment to the FCC. Those upfront payments are due by January 4, a deadline the FCC extended by one week after Frontline Wireless requested additional time due to the holiday season.
However, Frontline, which is looking to build a national network for emergency responders, was among those that received an incomplete mark on its application. It applied under the name Licenseco LLC.
Also on the incomplete list are Alltel, AT&T, Cox Wireless, Qualcomm, and Verizon Wireless, according to the FCC. The commission did not release specific details on what these companies' applications were lacking other than to say that "some applicants have submitted certain inconsistent information." Applications must be re-submitted, with an upfront payment, before 6pm EST on January 4.
Among those who join Google on the approved list, however, are Vulcan Spectrum LLC and Bend Cable Communications LLC, ventures backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
Read the rest of this story at pcmag.com.
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December 19, 2007 2:42 PM
Any idea how much the upfront payment is?
Who gets the money? They are OUR airwaves after all.
December 19, 2007 3:24 PM
I want to see Google win the spectrum...I have Verizon Wireless and I don't want them to win it. Nor At&t, we need a new cell phone company. Verizon I know for sure would use it for evil. They're so greedy. Look at their garbage phones with the crippled and tacky user interface. No thanks, if a new player emerges in the industry...my wife and I plan to jump shit and give VZW
the middle finger. I think I speak for most of us when I say we're sick of being controlled by minutes and restrictions. Bloodsuckers.
December 21, 2007 4:43 PM
+1, Google FTW!