U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

SSL

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Auction 15: Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS)

Summary

April 1, 1997 - April 2, 1997
Rounds:
25
Bidding Days:
2
Qualified Bidders:
4
Winning Bidders:
2 bidders won 2 licenses
Gross Bids:
$173,234,888
Net Bids:
$173,234,888
Reports Files
Activity and Revenue Graph
Maps & Band Plans
WCS & DARS
General Information
Auction Announcements
Bidder Cross Reference (text)

4/2/1997
Winning Bidders
FCC Announces Auction Winners for Digital Audio Radio Service
The Public Notice announces the closing (and the winners of) the DARS auction. Auction raised $173.2 million for two licenses; Initial down payments due 
April 16, 1997.
pdf - text 

3/20/1997
Qualified Bidders
Auction of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service, Applications to Participate in Auction Accepted for Filing
This Public Notice announces the procedures for the Auction of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service and qualified bidders, conditioned upon receipt of required upfront payment.
pdf - text 

4/2/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-656)
FCC Announces Auction Winners for Digital Audio Radio Service
pdf - text 

3/20/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-594)
Auction of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service, Applications to Participate in Auction Accepted for Filing
pdf - text 

3/11/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-525)
Deadline Established for Submission of Supplemental Information for April 1 Auction of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service
pdf - text 

Fact Sheet

Date:

Auction 15 began on 4/1/1997 and closed on 4/2/1997.
Round 25 (See PN DA 97-656)

Licenses:

2

Spectrum:

2320-2345 MHz

Bandwidth:

12.5 MHz (ea. License)

Winning Bidders:
2 bidders won 2 licenses
Rounds:
25
Qualified Bidders:
4
Licenses Won:
2
Total Licenses:
2
Net Bids:
$173,234,888
Gross Bids:
$173,234,888

 

General information and associated licensing parameters are provided below. Public Notices provide specific information regarding this auction. This fact sheet includes:

Key Dates

EventDate
Upfront Payments Deadline
3/28/1997; 3:00 pm ET
Registration
3/31/1997; 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Mock Auction
3/31/1997
Auction Start
4/1/1997
Auction Closed
4/2/1997

Licenses Offered

A total of 2 nationwide licenses were offered in this auction. Four entities applied for DARS licenses in 1992. Because the record indicated that at least 12.5 MHz of spectrum is necessary for a viable DARS system and because there is only 25 MHz of spectrum allocated exclusively for DARS, the Commission decided to auction two licenses with only those four applicants that filed before the 1992 cutoff date were eligible to participate. The licenses cover spectrum between 2320 and 2345 MHz.

Permissible Operations

Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) proposes to provide nationwide radio programming with compact disc quality sound via satellite. DARS has the potential to offer high quality radio signals to listeners who currently receive few terrestrial signals. The Commission adopted a Report and Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning DARS on March 3, 1997. With this, the Commission amended part 25 of its rules to create licensing, technical, and auction rules for DARS.

License Period and Construction Requirements

Licenses were issued for a eight-year term. The Commission adopted milestone requirements that provide that a licensee must begin construction of its first satellite within one year, launch and operate a satellite within four years, and have its whole system operational within six years.

Bidding Credits

No bidding credits were offered.

Releases P

4/2/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-656)
FCC Announces Auction Winners for Digital Audio Radio Service
The Public Notice announces the closing (and the winners of) the DARS auction. Auction raised $173.2 million for two licenses; Initial down payments due April 16, 1997.
pdf - text 

3/20/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-594)
Auction of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service, Applications to Participate in Auction Accepted for Filing
This Public Notice announces the procedures for the Auction of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service and qualified bidders, conditioned upon receipt of required upfront payment.
pdf - text 

3/11/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-525)
Deadline Established for Submission of Supplemental Information for April 1 Auction of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service
This Public Notice announces that in order for bidders to be eligible to bid, they must submit Supplement Information by March 18, 1997.
pdf - text 

3/6/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-477)
FCC Announces Auction of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service
This Public Notice announces the auction and filing requirements for two (2) DARS licenses scheduled for April 1, 1997.
pdf - text 

No results here for this auction.

No results here for this auction.

No results here for this auction.

Auction Seminar

Education