Major tech companies hoping to bid in the upcoming 700 MHz auction got a boost Monday when the FCC issued formal approval for their spectrum bids, but an announcement from Frontline Wireless Saturday that it will shuts its doors puts the future of first responder spectrum in jeopardy.
The FCC issued final approval for 214 bidders in the January 24 spectrum auction, but shut out 52 applicants.
Among those on the non-qualified bidders list was Frontline Wireless, an entity that was looking to build a national network for emergency responders. The group said in a statement on its Web site Saturday, however, that it was "closed for business at this time" and had "no further comment," calling into question whether or not the auction will result in more airwaves for the nation's police and firefighters.
But who was approved?
Google is still listed as an accepted applicant, as are previously rejected bidders like Alltel, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Cox Wireless, Cablevision (bidding as CSC Spectrum Holdings), Echostar (bidding as Frontier Wireless), and Qualcomm.
Frontline, however, which filed its bid under the name Licenseco LLC, appeared on the commission's non-qualified bidders list.
The FCC will hold a mock auction on January 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, during which qualified bidders can submit fake bids in order to test the system. Bids will be accepted by phone and the Internet. Macs needs not apply.
Read the rest of this story on pcmag.com.
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