The Federal Communications Commission has approved 35 bidders to participate in this Wednesday’s auction of licenses for the 39 GHz band. The 39 GHz band is located at 38.6-40 GHz. Some of the prominent bidders and their up front payments include WinStar Wireless Fiber Corp. ($85 million), Advanced Radio Telecom Corp. ($31.5 million) and AT&T Wireless PCS L.L.C. ($20 million). The smallest up front payment of $7,600 was made by the Northern Arapaho Business Council. The FCC said 13 applicants were not qualified to participate in the auction.
The Personal Communications Industry Association applauded the FCC’s recent rules for number conservation saying that the text, which was released last week, contained good things for the wireless industry. “The FCC’s numbering order presents an important reaffirmation of federal control over the nation’s numbering resources. This order establishes uniform national reporting definitions and standards, along with a single point of contact for data collection, to replace a patchwork of inconsistent state reporting requirements,” said PCIA President Jay Kitchen.
Telecom firms figure prominently in the Fortune 500’s new ranking of the nation’s biggest companies. AT&T Corp. is ranked eighth with $62.391 billion in 1999 revenue. SBC Communications Inc. is 12th, with $49.489 billion; Lucent Technologies Inc., 22nd, $38.303 billion; MCI WorldCom Inc., 25th, $37.120 billion; Bell Atlantic Corp., 33rd, $33.174; Motorola Inc., 37th, $30.931; GTE Corp., 55th, $25.336 billion; BellSouth Corp., 58th, $25.224 billion; and Sprint Corp., 81st, $19.930 billion.
President Clinton last week announced new initiatives to close the digital divide-the growing gap between individuals that have and don’t have access to new technologies-including the infusion of $10 million for `E-Corps.’ from the Corporation for National Service. The money will be used to recruit 750 qualified AmeriCorp members for school computer system technical support, Community Technology Center tutoring and high-tech career training. The CNS also will commit $2.5 million for digital divide projects under the Learn and Serve program.
Compiled by wire services, press releases and other sources.
