Auction 16: 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service (SMR)

Block A: 401-420 Channel Numbers 861.0-861.5 MHz paired with 816.0-816.5 MHz
Block B: 421-480 Channel Numbers 861.5-863.0 MHz paired with 816.5-818.0 MHz
Block C: 481-600 Channel Numbers 863.0-866.0 MHz paired with 818.0-821.0 MHz

Bandwidth:

Block A - 1.0 MHz in 175 EAs
Block B - 3.0 MHz in 175 EAs
Block C - 6.0 MHz in 175 EAs

Winning Bidders:

14 bidders won 524 licenses

Rounds:

235

Qualified Bidders:

Licenses Won:

524

Licenses Held by FCC:

Total Licenses:

525

Net Bids:

$96,232,060

Gross Bids:

$98,609,975

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

Key Dates
Licenses Offered
Permissible Operations
License Period and Construction Requirements
Bidding Credits
Incumbents

Key Dates

Event	Date
Pre-Auction Seminar	9/17/1997
Form 175 (Short Form) Application Filing Deadline	9/29/1997; 5:30 pm ET
Upfront Payments Deadline	10/14/1997; 6:00 pm ET
Orders for Remote Bidding Software	10/15/1997; 5:30 pm ET
Mock Auction	10/23/1997
Auction Start	10/28/1997
Auction Closed	12/8/1997

Licenses Offered

A total of 525 licenses in the upper 200 channels of the 800 MHz SMR service were offered in this auction. Three licenses (Frequency Blocks "A" with a bandwidth of 1 MHz, "B" with a bandwidth of 3 MHz, and "C" with a bandwidth of 6 MHz), in each of the 175 Economic Areas (EA’s). The 800 MHz SMR systems operate on two 25 kHz channels paired. Due to the different sizes of the channel bandwidths allocated for 800 MHz and 900 MHz systems, the radio equipment used for 800 MHz SMRs is not compatible with the equipment used for 900 MHz SMRs

Permissible Operations

The Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) service was first established by the Commission in 1979 to provide land mobile communications on a commercial (i.e., for profit) basis. A traditional SMR system consists of one or more base station transmitters, one or more antennas, and end user radio equipment that usually consists of a mobile radio unit either provided by the end user or obtained from the SMR operator for a fee. SMR end users may operate in either an "interconnected" mode or a "dispatch" mode. Interconnected mode interconnects mobile radio units with the public switched telephone network (PSTN). An end user may thus transmit a message with its mobile radio unit to the SMR base station. The call will then be routed to the local PSTN. This allows the mobile radio unit to function as a mobile telephone. Dispatch mode allows two-way, over the air, voice communications between two or more mobile units (e.g., between a car and a truck) or between mobile units and fixed units (e.g., between the end user's office and a truck). Typical SMR customers using dispatch communications include construction companies with several trucks at different jobs or on the road, with a dispatch operation in a central office.

SMR systems consist of two distinct types: conventional and trunked systems. A conventional system allows an end user the use of only one channel. If someone else is already using that end user's assigned channel, the end user must wait until the channel is available. In contrast, a trunked system combines channels and contains microprocessing capabilities that automatically search for an open channel. This search capability allows more users to be served at any one time. A majority of the current SMR systems are trunked systems.

Although SMRs are primarily used for voice communications, systems are also being developed for data and facsimile services. Additionally, the development of a digital, rather than analog, SMR marketplace is allowing new acknowledgment paging and inventory tracking, credit card authorization, automatic vehicle location, fleet management, inventory tracking, remote database access, and voicemail. The growth of SMRs has been significant due to these new developments. For example, at the end of 1994, approximately 1.8 million vehicles and portable units were served by SMR systems.

License Period and Construction Requirements

Licenses are issued for a term not to exceed ten years. Additionally, licensees generally are afforded a renewal expectancy only for those stations put into service after August 10, 1996.

The build-out requirements are as follows:

One third of service area population in 3 years
2/3 of service area population in 5 years. Alternatively, at the five year mark, submit a showing of "substantial service." See 47 C.F.R. 90.685(b).

Bidding Credits

A bidding credit acts as a discount on the winning bid amount that a bidder actually has to pay for the license. The size of the bidding credit depends on the annual gross revenues of the bidder and its affiliates, as averaged over the preceding three years as defined in 47 C.F.R. § Section 27.210:

A bidder with average gross revenues of not more than $15 million (a "small business") receives a 25 percent discount on its winning bids for the 800 MHz SMR licenses.
A bidder with average gross revenues of not more than $3 million (a "very small business") receives a 35 percent discount on its winning bids for the 800 MHz SMR licenses.

These bidding credits are not cumulative.

Incumbents

EA licensees must provide protection to incumbents by locating stations at least 70 miles (113 km) from incumbent's facilities or by complying with the short-spacing rule. See 47 C.F.R. 90.621 . Incumbents may modify or add sites so long as they do not exceed existing 22 dBu signal strength contour. See 47 C.F.R. 90.693 . Incumbent 800 SMR systems are entitled to co-channel protection by EA licensees, as well as adjacent channel interference protection. Incumbent systems, however, are not allowed to expand beyond existing service areas unless they obtain the EA license for the relevant channels.

Releases P

7/29/1999
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 99-1495)
Erratum to Public Notice DA 99-1431 Correction to Appendix A WTB Incorporates Nextel Communications, Inc. Waiver Record into WT Docket 99-87
This erratum amends Appendix A to add an Ex Parte Presentation filed by Nextel Comm. Inc.
pdf - text

7/1/1999
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 99-1431)
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Incorporates Nextel Communications, Inc. Waiver Record Into WT Docket No. 99-87
This Public Notice is issued as a supplement to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (FCC 99-52) adopted in WTB Docket No. 99-87, and seeks comment on the whether the Commission should amend its licensing rules for the 800 MHz band to allow the incorporation of PMRS channels into a CMRS system.
pdf - text

3/9/1999
CORRECTION PN
Correction In the Matter of Mountain SMR Group, L.L.C.
This Public Notice corrects the delegated authority number contained in the March 5, 1999.
pdf - text

12/9/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-2583)
800 MHz SMR Auction Closes, Winning Bidders In The Auction of 525 Specialized Mobile Radio Licenses
This Public Notice provides information concerning winning bidders, down payments, FCC Form 601 filing requirements, and other licensing matters.
pdf - text
Attachment A: xls
Attachment B: xls
Attachment C: xls

10/24/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-2262)
Addendum to Public Notice, DA 97-2222, Announcing Qualified Bidders in the October 28, 1997, 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Auction
This Public Notice corrects the delegated authority number Order DA 98-2321. The correct delegate authority number is DA 99-470.
pdf - text

10/24/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-2262)
Addendum to Public Notice, DA 97-2222, Announcing Qualified Bidders in the October 28, 1997, 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Auction
This Public Notice adds an additional applicant qualified to bid for 525 licenses available in the 800 MHz SMR auction scheduled for October 28, 1997.
pdf - text

10/17/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-2222)
Auction of Specialized Mobile Radio Services
This Public Notice identifies the 61 applicants who have been found qualified to bid in Auction No. 16 for 525 800 MHz SMR licenses, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 28, 1997.
pdf - text
Attachment A: xls
Attachment B: xls
Attachment C: xls

10/3/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-2153)
Auction of 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service Licenses, Status of Applications to Participate in Auction
This Public Notice announces the status of the ninety-six (96) timely-filed FCC Form 175 application to participate in Auction 16.

9/5/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-1934)
FCC Announces Changes to Auction Procedures for the 800 MHz SMR Auction (Auction No. 16)
This Public Notice sets forth changes in auction procedures for the 800 MHZ SMR auction on October 28 1997.
pdf - text

9/5/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-1933)
Comment Sought on Balanced Budget Provisions Calling For Reserve Prices or Minimum Opening Bids in FCC Auctions
This Public Notice seeks comment on the establishment of minimum opening bids or reserve prices for the 800 MHz SMR auction.
pdf - text
Attachment A: xls

9/4/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-1901)
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Identifies Petitions and Applications Affecting 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Upper Band Spectrum
This Public Notice notifies potential bidders that certain petitions/applications are pending before the Commission that relate to incumbent 800 MHz SMR licenses.
pdf - text
Attachment A: xls
Attachment B: xls

8/22/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-1813)
PN Announcing 800 SMR Seminar
This Public Notice announces a half-day seminar re: the 800 MHZ SMR auction.
pdf - text - WordPerfect
Registration Form: pdf

8/6/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-1672)
Auction of 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service Licenses
This Public Notice sets forth the filing requirements for the auction of 525 licenses in the 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio service, scheduled for October 28, 1997.
pdf - text
List of Licenses: xls
EA Map: pdf
Form 175 Electronic Filing Software: zip (1) - zip (2) - zip (3)
Manual filing copies of Form 159 can be obtained from the FCC Forms page. Copies of form 175 and 159 can also be obtained by calling 1-800-418-3676 (outside Washington, D.C.) or 202-418-3676 (in the Washington area). Copies can also be obtained via Fax-On-Demand at 202-418-0177: Form 159

7/30/1997
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 97-1627)
FCC Announces Upcoming Spectrum Auction Schedule, two Auctions To Commence Before End of the Year
This Public Notice announces the Commission's plan to conduct two spectrum auctions. This serves as a notification for potential applicants of important dates scheduled for these auctions.
pdf - text

8/28/1996
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 96-1460)
Wireless Telecommunication Bureau Provides Guidance on the Anti-Collusion Rule for D, E, and F Block Bidders
This Public Notice provides guidance concerning the impact of the Commission's anti-collusion Rules upon business contacts between current broadband PCS licensees and auction winners and eligible participants in the ongoing broadband PCS D, E and F Block auction.
pdf - text

10/26/1995
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 95-2244)
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Clarifies Spectrum Auction Anti-Collusion Rules
This Public Notice provides guidance regarding the Commission's anti-collusion rules, is meant to serve as a guideline for all auctions.
text

Releases L

11/15/2002
LETTER (DA 02-3178)
Mr. Jack Bond, Mountain SMR Group, LLC, re: Final Withdrawal and Default Payments for Auction No. 16
This letter assesses the final bid withdrawal and default payment obligations for Mountain SMR Group L.L.C.

3/4/2002
LETTER (DA 02-493)
Letter from Margaret Wiener, Chief, Auctions and Industry Analysis Division, WTB to Ms. Sabrina Cruz-Sablan, President, Communications Pacific, Inc.
This letter announces the final payment amounts due the Commission as a result of Communications Pacific's default on license EA 173C and their bid withdrawal with respect to license EA 173B, both of which were 800 SMR service licenses.

Releases O

7/7/2000
ORDER (DA 00-1522)
In the Matter of Communications Pacific, Inc., Conditional Grantee for License EA 173C (Guam - Northern Mariana), Auction No. 16
This Order sets forth the default payment obligations for Communications Pacific, Inc.

12/22/1999
ERRATUM (FCC 99-368)
Amendment to the Communications Rules to Facilitate Future Development of SMR Systems in the 800 MHz Frequency Band
This Erratum corrects FCC 99-368 that was released on 12/2/99.

12/2/1999
SECOND MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION (FCC 99-368)
In the Matter of Amendment of Part 90 of the Commission's Rules to Facilitate Future Development of SMR Systems in the 800 MHz Frequency Band Implementation of Sections 3(n) and 332 of the Communications Act -- Regulatory Treatment of Mobile Services Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications Act -- Competitive Bidding
In this order, the Commission denies two Petitions for Reconsideration of the Memorandum Opinion and Order (released July 10, 1997) in which the Commission reconsidered the rules governing the upper 200 channels of the 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) spectrum band.

10/22/1999
ORDER (FCC 99-308)
In the Matter of Small Business in Telecommunications, Application for Review of Public Notice DA 97-1933, Application for Review of Public Notice DA 97-1934 -- 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Auction, Upper 200 Channels
This Order denies two Applications for Review, filed by Small Business in Telecommunications (SBT) on September 12, 1997.
pdf - text

10/8/1999
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 99-270)
In the Matter of Amendment of Part 90 of the Commission's Rules to Facilitate Future Development of SMR Systems in the 800 MHz Frequency Band Implementation of Sections 3(n) and 332 of the Communications Act -- Regulatory Treatment of Mobile Services Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications Act -- Competitive Bidding
This MO&O completes the implementation of a new licensing framework for the 800 MHZ Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) service.
pdf - text

9/2/1999
ORDER (DA 99-1788)
In the Matter of High Tech Communications Services, Inc.
This order partially grants a request for waiver of the Commission's rules filed by High Tech Communications Services, Inc., the winning bidder for an A Block license for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in the 800 MHz SMR auction.
pdf - text
Attachment A: text - Word

7/22/1999
ORDER (DA 99-1449)
In the Matter of Nevada Wireless, Emergency Petition for Reconsideration and Emergency Motion for Stay of the Minimum Opening Bids Order., 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Auction--Upper 200 Channels
This Order dismisses Nevada Wireless's Emergency Petition for Reconsideration and Emergency Motion for Stay of the Bureau's Order establishing minimum opening bids for the 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio auction.
pdf - text

7/22/1999
ORDER (DA 99-1448)
In the Matter of Nevada Wireless Petition for Reconsideration, Motion for Set Aside and Motion for Stay of Public Notice DA 97-1627 and Petition for Reconsideration, Motion for Set Aside and Motion for Stay of Public Notice DA 97-1672
By this Order, the Bureau dismisses as moot the two Petitions for Reconsideration, two Motions for Set Aside and two Motions for Stay of two Public Notices setting forth the auction date, filing deadlines and auction procedures for the 800 MHz SMR auction, which started on October 28, 1997, and concluded on December 8, 1997.
pdf - text

3/5/1999
ORDER (DA 99-469)
Request for Reconsideration and For Special Relief
Mountain SMR Group, L.L.C. sought reconsideration of the Bureau's denial of his request for waiver of the competitive bidding and bid withdrawal payment rules. This Order denies that request.

See Correction Public Notice

12/4/1998
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (DA 98-2496)
Request for waiver of 90.629 by Southern Company
Southern requested waiver of 90.629 to extend the implementation period for wide-area Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) network that incorporated Business and Industrial/Land Transportation channels. The request was granted in part and denied in part.

9/4/1998
ERRATUM LETTER (DA 98-1794)
Erratum to February 26, 1998 Letter to Mr. Jack Bond from Kathleen O'Brien Ham
The Erratum letter corrects the bid withdrawal and default payment amounts owed by Mountain SMR Group, L.L.C., a winning bidder for a license in the 800 MHz SMR auction.
pdf - text
Attachment A: pdf - text

6/15/1998
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (DA 98-1138)
In Re Application of Nextel License Acquisition Corp. for New 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Licenses
This MO & O dismisses in part, and denies, in part, I.E. Communications Inc.'s (IE) blanket petition [FN1] against Nextel License Acquisition Corp.'s (Nextel) application for SMR 800.
pdf - text

6/15/1998
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (DA 98-1137)
In Re Application of Nevada Wireless for a license to provide 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service in the Farmington, NM-CO Economic Area (EA-155) Frequency Band A
This Order holds that Nextel has not adequately demonstrated adequate reasons why the FCC should deny Nevada Wireless's application for the SMR license Nevada Wireless won in Auction No. 16 for the Farmington, NM-CO Economic Area, Frequency Band A (EA 1555A).
pdf - text

2/26/1998
ORDER (DA 98-378)
Letter, DA 98-378, released February 26, 1998
The attached letter denies the requests for waiver of the competitive bidding rules and the bid withdrawal rule filed by Mountain SMR Group, L.L.C.. on December 5, 1997.
text

10/6/1997
ORDER (DA 97-2147)
In the Matter of Auction of 800 MHz SMR Upper 10 MHz Band Minimum Opening Bids or Reserve Prices
This Order establishes minimum opening bid requirements for the auction of 525 licenses in the upper 10 MHz of the 800 SMR.
pdf - text
Attachment A: xls

10/19/1994
FOURTH MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 94-264)
Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications Act - Competitive Bidding, PP Docket No. 93-253, 9 FCC Rcd 6858, 6866-6869 ¶¶ 47-60
This Fourth Memorandum Opinion and Order resolves petitions for reconsideration or clarification of our rules governing the methodology and procedure for auctions to provide personal communications services in the 2 GHz band (called "broadband PCS").
pdf - text

7/15/1994
FIFTH REPORT AND ORDER (FCC 94-178)
Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications Act - Competitive Bidding, PP Docket No. 93-253, 9 FCC Rcd 5532, 5570-5571, ¶¶ 91-92
This Fifth Report and Order sets forth the specific auction procedures for broadband PCS licenses.
pdf - text

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Auction 16: 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service (SMR)

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