The FCC says 82 applicants are qualified to bid in Auction 108, the auction of flexible use overlay licenses in the 2.5 GHz band. Bidding is slated to begin July 29.
The agency reviewed short-form applications (FCC Form 175) for completeness and compliance with its rules. The list of those who qualified (attachment A) includes big names like AT&T Auction Holdings, LLC, T-Mobile License LLC, and UScellular Corporation. Smaller telecoms qualify as well, like Granite Wireless LLC, Michigan Wireless, LLC and SkyPacket Networks. The list indicates whether applicants claimed eligibility for a small business or rural service bidding credit.
Attachment B lists 11 applicants that submitted an FCC Form 175 but did not qualify to bid in the auction. All applicants, including those not qualified to bid, remain subject to the Commission’s rules prohibiting certain communications pertaining to bids and bidding strategies.
An online tutorial regarding bidding for Auction 108 will allow viewers to navigate the presentation outline, review written notes, and listen to an audio recording of the notes. The online tutorial will be accessible in the Education section of the Auction 108 website.
Qualified bidders can take part in a mock auction. In order to accommodate the large number of qualified bidders and to ensure that each has sufficient opportunity to ask questions or to request bidding assistance, the FCC scheduled two mock auction dates. Each qualified bidder will be assigned to either Tuesday, July 26, or Wednesday July 27. Qualified bidders must look up their assigned mock auction date using the “Assigned Mock Auction Dates” link in the Education section of the Auction 108 website.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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