99 licenses. Two in each of 51 Major Trading Areas (MTAs), less 3 licenses awarded by pioneer's preference in New York, Washington/Baltimore and Los Angeles/San Diego. See Major Trading Area (MTA) map, (pdf)
Spectrum
2 GHz band
A block: 1850-1865 and 1930-1945 MHz
B block: 1870-1885 and 1950-1965 MHz
Bandwidth
Block A & B - 30.0 MHz ea. (2 x 15 MHz paired) in 51 MTAs (Note: 2 licenses were awarded via pioneer preference)
Total bandwidth: 60.0 MHz (60,000 KHz)
See PCS Bandplan, (pdf)
Winning Bidders
18 bidders won 99 licenses
Rounds
112
Bidding Days
60
Qualified Bidders
30
Licenses Won
99
Net Revenues
Net Bids
$7,019,403,797.00
Gross Bids
$7,019,403,797.00
Pioneers Preference
($701,780,374.00)
General information and associated licensing parameters are provided below.
Public Notices provide specific information regarding this auction. This fact sheet includes:
In this auction, the FCC offered for bid Broadband PCS licenses that authorize service in each of 51 Major Trading Areas (MTAs) covering the entire United States and its territories. Licenses in both frequency blocks A and B were auctioned in 48 MTAs, and in the other three MTAs, only the block B license was auctioned. In those three MTAs (New York, Los Angeles/San Diego, and Washington/Baltimore), the block A license was previously awarded to companies under the Commission's pioneer's preference program. Therefore, a total of 99 licenses were auctioned.
Permissible Operations
Licensees use broadband Personal Communications Service (PCS) spectrum for a variety of mobile and fixed radio services, also called wireless services. Mobile broadband PCS services include both voice and advanced two-way data capabilities that are generally available on small, mobile multifunction devices. The Commission and other wireless industry representatives often refer to these services as "Mobile Telephone Services" and "Mobile Data Services." Many broadband PCS licensees offer these services in competition with existing cellular and SMR licensees.
License Period
Licenses are issued for a ten-year term from the initial license grant date.
Installment Payments
Installment payments were not offered in this auction.
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