US Cellular Eyes FCC for Cues on Upcoming Auctions

How the Federal Communications Commission manages the upcoming 600 MHz incentive auctions is on everyone’s mind, including LeRoy Carlson, CEO of Telephone and Data Systems (TDS). Carlson said TDS, which owns regional wireless carrier US Cellular, is interested in bidding in the upcoming AWS-3 auction, as well as the 600 MHz incentive auction in 2015. But Carlson also said a smaller operator like US Cellular has concerns that are unique to its size.

“We are very concerned that the FCC will make sure that there are two things that happen. Interoperability among all the AWS-3 bands that will be offered and interoperability among all the incentive auctions bands, those 600 bands,” Carlson said. “And then also small license area sizes. For a company like us, who is a regional company, we need to have license area sizes that will enable us to compete to overlay our existing footprint without having to buy licenses that extend far beyond our footprint size.” Possible interference with Dish’s nearby spectrum was also a concern. “So when you have uncertainty, you are less likely to be willing to bid for something like that. So we passed on that one,” Carlson said.