FCC eases small-business rules for 700 MHz auction

The FCC eased the designated-entity bidding rule for the 700 MHz D-Block band, the swathe of spectrum reserved for a commercial/public-safety network. The change is a victory for Frontline Wireless, which desires to bid on the spectrum using a wholesale access model.

Frontline filed a petition for reconsideration with the FCC [1] in September, seeking a change to the rules. A designated entity typically receives bidding discounts up to 25 percent, but is barred from wholesaling more than 50 percent of its spectrum. However, the FCC made an exception for the D block given the fact that the bank requires a commercial/public-safety leasing arrangement.

"To encourage the widest range of potentially qualified applicants to participate in bidding for the D-block license, we enabled eligible bidders for this license to seek designated-entity bidding credits for small businesses, as a means to create incentives for investors to provide innovative small businesses with the capital necessary to compete for the D-block license at auction," the commission stated.

The filing window for short-form 700 MHz applications runs between Nov. 19 and Dec. 3.

To find out more:
- read this article [2] from RCR Wireless News
- check out this release [3]

Related articles:
Heavy duty VCs get ready for 700 MHz auction Report [4]
Frontline appeals FCC auction rules Report [1]