The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has finally scheduled June 29, 2006 as the date for the 3G wireless spectrum auction, where 1,222 AWS licenses for spectrum pairs in the 1700 and 2100 MHz bands will be auctioned. This date is scheduled after NTIA issued a report last month, giving the government permission to clear current services from this spectrum, as phonearena.com informed. Having in mind that the cost of transitioning government users out of this spectrum will cost about $935 million and the fact that the government plans to recover it through the auction, the bids are expected to reach $935 million. It is not clear, however, whether June 29 is the final date for the auction, as small business discounts and other auction procedures are still to be considered.
Source: RCR Wireless News
