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Learn about the AWS-1 auction results and upcoming spectrum opportunities. Explore allocation details, bidder insights, band plans, and government initiatives. Get a comprehensive overview of the evolving spectrum landscape.
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Spectrum Auctions and Opportunities National Spectrum Managers Association May 23, 2007
Spectrum Policy Overview • Auction Results: AWS I • Auctions Ahead: 700 MHz; AWS II • Other Spectrum Opportunities • Unlicensed Options • Government Initiatives and Access
AWS-1 Auction • Began on August 9, 2006; ended September 18, 2006 • 90 MHz Nationwide: 1710-1755/2110-2155 MHz • 10 MHz and 20 MHz licenses – various license areas • License Term: 15 years • No mid-term construction requirement • “Substantial Service” must by provided by end of license term • Spectrum in many areas must be cleared before use • Simultaneous, multiple-round auction design (typical of past FCC auctions) • Transparent bidding • 104 Bidders won 1087 licenses, generating $13.7 Billion in revenues
BASE MOBILE 1710 1720 1730 1735 1740 1745 1755 2110 2120 2130 2135 2140 2145 2155 A B C D E F . . . . . . A B C D E F CMA EA EA REAG REAG REAG CMA EA EA REAG REAG REAG AWS-1 Band Plan BLOCK FREQUENCIES (MHz) SVC. # of AREA LICENSES Block A: 20 MHz 1710-1720/2110-2120 MSA/RSA 734 licenses Block B: 20 MHz 1720-1730/2120-2130 EA 176 licenses Block C: 10 MHz 1730-1735/2130-2135 EA 176 licenses Block D: 10 MHz 1735-1740/2135-2140 REAG 12 licenses Block E: 10 MHz 1740-1745/2140-2145 REAG 12 licenses Block F: 20 MHz 1745-1755/2145-2155 REAG 12 licenses TOTAL 1122 licenses
Top 10 AWS-1 Auction Bidders • T-Mobile – $4,182,312,000 • Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless – $2,808,599,000 • SpectrumCo LLC – $2,377,609,000 • MetroPCS AWS, LLC – $1,391,410,000 • Cingular AWS, LLC – $1,334,610,000 • Cricket Licensee (Reauction), Inc. – $710,214,000 • Denali Spectrum License, LLC – $365,445,000 • Barat Wireless, LP – $169,520,000 • AWS Wireless Inc – $115,503,000 • Atlantic Wireless, LP – $100,392,000
Auctions Ahead: 700 MHz • 108 MHz (698-806 MHz) after Feb. 2009 DTV transition • 24 MHz to public safety • 24 MHz already licensed to commercial interests • 60 MHz to be auctioned no later than Jan. 2008 • Current Band Plan: • Much is in Play
April 27 Order & FNPRM • Order • Mixture of License Areas (REA, EA, CMA) • Various Auction and Technical Issues • Guard Band Flexibility • FNPRM • Various Band Plans • Aggressive Geographic Build Out Requirements • Incumbent Eligibility Restrictions • Public Safety Spectrum Plan • Frontline • Open Access
Auctions Ahead:700 MHz • Now Five NPRMs in Play • Commercial – license areas, spectrum block, build out rules • Guard Band – reallocation, eliminate service and technical restrictions • Public Safety #1 – convert wideband channels to broadband • Public Safety #2 – national interoperable, broadband network on 12 MHz in current public safety spectrum • April 27 FNPRM • Frontline • Auction a 10 MHz nationwide license and require: (1) build out of public safety broadband infrastructure; (2) open access, wholesale business plan on commercial spectrum • Cyren Call • Reallocate 30 MHz of commercial spectrum to public safety • Next Steps • Final order – likely June/July • Auction – by statute, auction no later than January 2008 and revenues to Treasury by June 2009
Other Auction Opportunities:AWS II • 40 MHz in total; auction timing likely no earlier than 2009 • H block (1915-1920/1995-2000 MHz) and J block (2020-2025/2175-2180 MHz) • Service rules pending (NPRM 2004) • 2155-2175 MHz • To date, AWS allocation only, no service rules NPRM issued yet • M2Z proposal for 2155-2175 MHz • Exclusive assignment in exchange for free broadband • Petitions to Deny and competing applications filed
Other Upcoming Auctions for Existing Services • 220 MHz – 94 licenses total • 93 EA licenses (including partial markets) – 100 kHz • 1 EAG license – 150 kHz • 218-219 (formerly the IVDS service) – no auction details established at this time
Secondary Market Opportunities:Existing Bands in Flux • WCS • 2305-2320/2345-2360 MHz (4 license blocks, 52 MEAs and 12 REAGs) • AT&T, Comcast, Sprint, Nextwave, Horizon Wi-Com • BRS/EBS • 2496-2690 MHz (multiple licensees) • Sprint, Clearwire, Nextwave • MSS/ATC options • L-Band, Big LEO Band, S-Band • MSV, Inmarsat, Globalstar, Iridium, ICO, Terrestar
Unlicensed Opportunities • “White Spaces” in TV Bands • Likely unlicensed • Likely fixed, at least to start (2009) • 3650-3700 MHz • Non-exclusive licensing with novel interference protection rules • Encumbrances • New Options at 5 GHz • Additional 255 MHz • Complex Federal Government sharing
Federal Government Spectrum Reform • President’s "Spectrum Policy for the 21st Century" initiative sets the following goals: • Economic growth; security; global leadership • Support for other vital U.S. needs in areas such as public safety, scientific research, Federal transportation infrastructure, and law enforcement. • Key component is to promote more efficient and beneficial use of spectrum without harmful interference to critical incumbent users • NTIA/FCC Spectrum Test Bed for new technology and sharing • Spectrum Management Advisory Committee
State & Local Government Innovation • Numerous test beds for blended or shared systems with commercial and state/local governments • Northrop Grumman Trial in New York • Bountiful opportunity for creative arrangements
Bryan Tramont btramont@wbklaw.com (202) 383-3331 Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP 2300 N Street NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20037 www.wbklaw.com
