FCC Delays Spectrum Auction

FCC DELAYS SPECTRUM AUCTION
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC's auction of spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services will now begin August 9 rather than June 29. In it's public notice the Commission said the change was made to give auction applicants additional time for preparation and planning for the auction." In a statement, Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said, "It is disappointing that the Commission has allowed the designated entity (DE) proceeding to affect the timing of the upcoming Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) auction." Nine months ago, Commissioner Adelstein proposed closing a loophole in Commission rules that allows large wireless companies to invest in DEs. The change was never adopted, but the FCC did adopt some changes in auction rules on April 25. Adelstein concluded: "And now it appears that the changes that the Commission did adopt may actually do more harm than good to the DE participation in the upcoming auction, notwithstanding this last-ditch effort to cure this troubled proceeding."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-265462A1.doc