Auction 5
Broadband PCS C Block
Fact Sheet
| Date | Auction 5 began on
12/18/1995 and closed on 5/6/1996 .
Round 184. (See PN DA 96-716)
|
| Licenses |
493 licenses. One in each of 493 Basic Trading Areas (BTAs)
(See Basic Trading Area (BTA) map ( pdf))
|
| Spectrum | 1895-1910; 1975-1990 MHz
|
| Bandwidth |
Block C - 30.0 MHz ea. (2 x 15 MHz paired) in 493 BTA's
Total bandwidth: 30.0 MHz (30,000 kHz)
See PCS Bandplan ( pdf)
|
| Winning Bidders | 89 small business bidders won 493 licenses
|
| Rounds | 184 |
| Bidding Days | 83 |
| Qualified Bidders | 255 |
| Licenses Won | 493 |
| Net Revenues |
| Net Bids | $10,071,708,841.50 |
| Gross Bids | $13,428,945,122.00 |
|
General information and associated licensing parameters are provided below.
Public Notices provide specific information regarding this auction. This fact sheet includes:
| Event | Date |
| Pre-Auction Seminar |
11/29/1995
|
| Form 175 (Short Form) Application Filing Deadline |
11/6/1995; 5:30 pm ET
|
| Upfront Payments Deadline (Cashiers Check) |
12/1/1995; 11:59 pm ET
|
| Upfront Payments Deadline (Wire Transfer) |
12/1/1995; 3:00 pm ET
|
| Orders for Remote Bidding Software |
12/8/1995
|
| Auction Start |
12/18/1995
|
| Auction Closed |
5/6/1996
|
|
A total of 493 licenses. One in each of 493 Basic Trading Areas (BTAs). These licenses authorized service on 30 MHz of spectrum in each of the 493 basic trading areas (BTAs) in the United States and territories. Frequency block C encompasses 1895-1910 MHz paired with 1975-1990 MHz. The C block spectrum licenses are designated as Entrepreneur’s Blocks and are only available for those bidders designated as such. To qualify as an entrepreneur, bidders must have gross revenues of less than $125 million in each of the last two years and total assets of less than $500 million at the time the FCC Form 175 application was filed).
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. Examples of entities holding a significant amount of broadband PCS spectrum include AT&T Wireless and Sprint PCS.
Licenses are issued for a ten-year term from the initial license grant date.
Installment payments were offered. See the Bidders Information Package for more information on this subject.
Qualifying applicants in Auction No. 5 were eligible for a bidding credit on C block licenses that represents the amount by which a bidder's winning bids are discounted. The size of the bidding credit depends on the average gross revenues for the preceding three years of the bidder, as provided in 47 C.F,R. § Section 24.709 and §24.720(b).
- A bidder with average gross revenues not exceeding $40 million for the preceding three years received a 25 percent discount on its winning bids for C.
The definitions of very small business and small business (or a consortium of very small or small businesses; including calculation of average gross revenues) are set forth in 47 C.F.R. § 24.720(b).
Winning bidders of C licenses should note that transfer and assignment restrictions and unjust enrichment provisions apply to winning bidders that use bidding credits and subsequently assign or transfer control of their licenses to an entity not qualifying for the same levels of bidding credits.