WASHINGTON-Bidding continued steadily on D-, E-and F-block personal communications service licenses last week, and the pace will quicken because Stage 3 rules, which mandate 98 percent bidding activity, have started.
At the end of Round 43, net revenues reached $1.4 billion; there were 242 new bids and 191 new high bids. The top five bidders continue to be SprintCom Inc., AT&T Wireless PCS Inc., Northcoast Operating Co. Inc., OPCSE-Galloway Consortium and Alltel Mobile Communications.
If bidders maintain their full eligibility, the $2 billion mark also could be surpassed, with eyes on $3 billion.
Several C-block winners still are awaiting the government’s decision regarding late or non-payment of remaining downpayment fees due Sept. 24. While there were definite “lack of funds” instances that are being explained via waiver by some of the defaulters, one winner is making its case by citing “accountant’s error.”
Roberts-Roberts Associates spokeswoman Kay Gabbert is blaming her company’s inadequate payment on an employee who sent in the amount equal to the upfront payment instead of the balance due, a matter of $47,992.
“The FCC knew there was a mistake because of the strange dollar amount,” she said. “We sent the remaining amount within an hour of being notified.”
Other C-block winners/second-payment defaulters, including Mountain Solutions Ltd. and Carolina PCS I L.P., have pulled together a lobbying group to represent them on the Hill. The group could be pushing for more government empathy toward small businesses and their problems related to capital investment.
