The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expects to hold an auction for the remaining narrowband PCS licenses as early as mid-2000. In preparation for the auction, the FCC plans to issue auction rules during first-quarter 2000. The FCC released proposed rules on what should be done with the remaining one megahertz of spectrum set aside for narrowband PCS in 1997, but has taken no action since.
In addition, the FCC plans to auction 30 megahertz of spectrum, one 20-megahertz license and one 10-megahertz license in six economic areas, in May. The government is transitioning channels 60-69 (746-806 MHz) from television use to other areas, including mobile phone and advanced fixed wireless services.
The auction of 985 licenses at 929 MHz and 931 MHz for paging services closed after 28 rounds, with 78 winning bidders pledging US$4.1 million. The licenses are for 20 kilohertz of spectrum in 51 major economic areas. As the FCC decides whether to remove the small business set aside in the scheduled re-auction of C- and F-block licenses, the agency noted that 57 winners of 440 licenses claimed small business status.
