Summary

December 12, 2000 - January 26, 2001
Rounds:
101
Bidding Days:
24
Qualified Bidders:
87
Winning Bidders:
35 bidders won 422 licenses
Gross Bids:
$17,597,015,000
Net Bids:
$16,857,046,150
Spreadsheets Files
Document
Document
Charts Files
Maps & Band Plans
Band Plans Files
General Information

Auction Programs
For additional information about PCS, including buildout information, see Broadband PCS.

Fact Sheet

Date:

Auction 35 began on 12/12/2000 and closed on 1/26/2001.
Round 76 (See PN DA 01-211)

Licenses:

312 10 MHz C block licenses
43 15 MHz C block licenses
67 10 MHz F block licenses

Spectrum:

15 MHz C block license suffix C1: 1902.5-1910, 1982.5-1990
15 MHz C block license suffix C2: 1895-1902.5, 1975-1982.5
10 MHz C block license suffix C3: 1895-1900,1975-1980
10 MHz C block license suffix C4: 1900-1905,1980-1985
10 MHz C block license suffix C5: 1905-1910, 1985-1990
10 MHz F block license suffix F: 1890–1895, 1970-1975

Winning Bidders:
35 bidders won 422 licenses
Rounds:
101
Qualified Bidders:
87
Licenses Won:
422
Total Licenses:
422
Net Bids:
$16,857,046,150
Gross Bids:
$17,597,015,000

 

Auction No. 35 was the fourth auction of C block spectrum and the third auction of F block spectrum. Several revisions were made to service and auction rules, including reconfiguring the size of C block licenses, modifying auction eligibility restrictions for certain licenses, and retaining the spectrum cap (See Sixth Report and Order, released August 29, 2000). General information and associated licensing parameters are provided below. Public Notices provide specific information regarding this auction.

EventDate
Pre-Auction Seminar
Form 175 (Short Form) Application Filing Deadline
11/6/2000
Upfront Payments Deadline
11/27/2000
Mock Auction
12/8/2000
Auction Start
12/12/2000
Auction Closed
1/26/2001

A total of 422 licenses covering 195 markets were offered. These licenses were for operation on frequencies for which licenses had automatically cancelled or had otherwise been returned to the Commission. However, each 30 MHz C Block license was reconfigured into three 10 MHz licenses, and all BTAs were divided into two categories: "Tier 1" (BTAs with populations greater than 2.5 million) and "Tier 2" (remaining BTAs). Some licenses were open to all bidders in "open" bidding, while other licenses were available only to entrepreneurs in "closed" bidding. Attachment A of Public Notice DA 00-2259, released October 5, 2000 provides a complete list of licenses available and the eligibility status of each license.

Channel BlockEligibility StatusBandwidth (MHz)Frequencies
Tier 1Tier 2
C1[Open]Closed151902.5-1910, 1982.5-1990
C2[Open]Closed*151895-1902.5, 1975-1982.5
C3Closed*Closed*101895-1900, 1975-1980
C4OpenClosed*101900-1905, 1980-1985
C5OpenOpen101905-1910, 1985-1990
FOpenOpen101890-1895, 1970-1975

Note: Brackets indicate that no licenses of the particular tier/channel block combination were available in Auction No. 35.

*The entrepreneur eligibility restriction does not apply to licenses that were available but unsold in Auction No. 22. Tier 2 C2 licenses were classified as closed, but all of the C2 licenses available in Auction No. 35 were available but unsold in Auction No. 22 and were therefore open to all bidders. Certain C block licenses were also available but unsold in Auction No. 22 (as 30 MHz licenses), and the corresponding C3 and C4 licenses were therefore open to all bidders.

Broadband PCS encompasses a variety of mobile and/or portable radio services, using such devices as small, lightweight, multifunction portable phones, portable fax machines, and advanced devices with two-way data capabilities that are competing with existing cellular, paging, and other land mobile services.

Licenses are issued for a ten-year term from the initial license grant date. Licensees have a renewal expectancy based on the provision of substantial service and substantial compliance with applicable Commission rules, policies, and the Communications Act. (See 47 C.F.R. 24.16).

Certain C and F block licenses are only available to entrepreneurs in "closed" bidding. In order to qualify as an "entrepreneur," an applicant, including attributable investors and affiliates, must have had gross revenue of less than $125 million in each of the last two years and must have less than $500 million in total assets.

In addition, qualified applicants that were eligible for and participated in Auction No. 5 or 10 may bid on closed C block licenses in any auction that begins on or before March 23, 2001, even if their total assets and gross revenues exceed the financial caps for auction participation as an entrepreneur.

A winning bidder that intends to use its license(s) to deploy facilities and provide services to federally-recognized tribal lands that are unserved by any telecommunications carrier or that have a telephone service penetration rate equal to or below 70 percent is eligible to receive a tribal land bidding credit as set forth in 47 C.F.R. sections 1.2107 and 1.2110(e). A tribal land bidding credit is in addition to, and separate from, any other bidding credit for which a winning bidder may qualify.

Unlike other bidding credits that are requested prior to the auction, a winning bidder applies for the tribal land bidding credit after winning the auction when it files its long-form application (FCC Form 601). In order for a winning bidder to be awarded a tribal land bidding credit, it must provide specific certifications regarding the servicing of tribal lands and is subject to specific performance criteria as set forth in 47 C F R § 1.2110(e). For additional information on the tribal land bidding credit, including how to determine the amount of credit available, see Public Notice DA 00-2219, released September 28, 2000, entitled Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Announces Availability of Bidding Credits For Providing Wireless Services To Qualifying Tribal Lands.

All licensees are required to coordinate their frequency usage with the co-channel or adjacent channel incumbent fixed microwave licensees in the 1850-1990 MHz band.

Releases P

3/28/2003
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 03-1031)
WTB Grants Dismissal Request of Eligible Auction No. 35 Winner and Dismisses Application for Two C and F Block Broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS) Licenses
This Public Notice grants the request of eligible winners in Auction No. 35 for dismissal of their pending applications for C and F block broadband PCS licenses.

3/7/2003
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 03-685)
WTB Grants Dismissal Requests of Eligible Auction No. 35 Winners and Dismisses Applications for 5 C and F Block Broadband PCS Licenses
This Public Notice contains the following attachments: Attachment A: List of Applications dismissed ? sorted by Applicant, Attachment B: Instructions for Searching for Applications Listed in Attachment A using ULS, Attachment C: Instructions for Accessing the FCC Network Using Windows 95/98.

12/17/2002
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 02-3487)
WTB Grants Dismissal Requests of Eligible Auction No. 35 Winners and Dismisses Applications for 49 C and F Block Broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS) Licenses
This Public Notice grants the request of eligible winners in Auction No. 35 for dismissal of their pending applications for C and F block broadband PCS licenses.

12/9/2002
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 02-3394)
WTB Grants Dismissal Requests of Eligible Auction No. 35 Winners and Dismisses Applications for 33 C and F Block Broadband PCS Licenses
This Public Notice announces the applicants listed in Attachment A to this Public Notice have filed requests that their pending applications be dismissed.

12/3/2002
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 02-3340)
WTB Grants Dismissal Requests of Eligible Auction No. 35 Winners and Dismisses Applications for 156 C and F Block Broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS) Licenses
This Public Notice grants the request of eligible winners in Auction No. 35 that their pending applications be dismissed.

11/26/2002
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 02-3288)
WTB Grants Dismissal Requests of Eligible Auction No. 35 Winners and Dismisses Applications for 12 C and F Block Broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS) Licenses
This Public Notice grants the request of eligible winners in Auction No. 35 for dismissal of their pending applications for C and F block broadband PCS licenses.

9/12/2002
PUBLIC NOTICE (FCC 02-248)
Commission Seeks Comment on Disposition of Down Payments and Pending Applications for Licenses Won During Auction No. 35 for Former NextWave Spectrum
This Public Notice seeks comment on whether the Commission should take further action with regard to the pending applications for licenses won during Auction No. 35 for spectrum formerly licensed to NextWave and Urban Comm. Comment Date: October 11, 2002. Reply Comment Date: October 21, 2002.
See Erratum

10/12/2001
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 01-2388)
WTB Modifies Ex Parte Procedures for Issues Related to Deposits by Auction No. 35 Winning Bidders
This Public Notice modifies ex parte procedures relating to down payments made by Auction No. 35 winners for applications that remain pending and that would otherwise be deemed restricted proceedings under the ex parte rules.

8/31/2001
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 01-2045)
WTB Announces the Return to Active Status of Licenses to Nextwave Personal Communications Inc. and Nextwave Power Partners Inc., Subject to the Outcome of Ongoing Litigation
This Public Notice announces WTB will update its licensing records to reflect the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit's mandate.

1/29/2001
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 01-211)
C and F Block Broadband PCS Auction Closes; Winning Bidders Announced; Down Payments Due February 12, 2001, FCC Forms 601 and 602 Due February 12, 2001; Ten-Day Petition to Deny Period
The attached Public Notice announces that on January 26, 2001, the FCC completed the auction of 422 licenses in the C and F Block Broadband PCS Auction ("Auction No. 35") and it provides detailed information concerning winning bidders, down payments, bid withdrawal payments and/or deposits, FCC Forms 601 and 602 filing requirements, requests for rule waivers, and licensing matters.

12/6/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE
Supplement to Attachment B; Auction of Licenses for the C and F Block Broadband PCS Spectrum
This attachment replaces Attachment B of DA 00-2725 released on December 1, 2000.
pdf - text - Word
See Original PN
Attachment B: pdf

12/1/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-2725)
Auction of Licenses for the C and F Block Broadband PCS Spectrum; 87 Qualified Bidders
This Public Notice identified 87 applicants found to be qualified to bid for the 422 licenses in the C and F block broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS) spectrum auction ("Auction No. 35"). Auction No. 35 is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, December 12, 2000.

11/17/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-2614)
Auction of Licenses for C and F Block Broadband PCS Spectrum; Status of FCC Form 175 Applications to Participate in the Auction
This Public Notice announces the status of the 112 FCC Form 175 applications received to participate in Auction No. 35 for 422 licenses in the C and F block Broadband PCS Spectrum.

10/5/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-2259)
C and F Block Broadband PCS Spectrum Auction Scheduled for November 29, 2000, Rescheduled for December 12, 2000; Notice and Filing Requirements for 422 Licenses in the C and F block Broadband PCS Spectrum Auction; Minimum Opening Bids, Upfront Payments and Other Procedural Issues for Final Auction Inventory
This Public Notice announces the procedures and minimum opening bids for the upcoming auction of broadband Personal Communications Services (PCS) spectrum in the C and F blocks scheduled for December 12, 2000. This Public Notice also provides the final inventory of licenses to be made available for this auction.

9/12/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE
C and F Block Broadband PCS Spectrum Auction Scheduled for November 29, 2000, Rescheduled for December 12, 2000
This Public Notice corrects Attachment A of DA 00-2038 originally released September 6, 2000.
pdf - text - Word
Attachment A: xls

9/6/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-2038)
C and F Block Broadband PCS Spectrum Auction Scheduled for November 29, 2000, Rescheduled for December 12, 2000
This Public Notice reschedules Auction No. 35 and seeks comment on upfront payments, reserve prices or minimum opening bids, and other auction procedural issues for this auction.
See Correction
Attachment A (corrected): pdf - xls

7/7/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-1531)
Deadline for Final Ex Parte and Other Presentations Responding to Issues Raised in Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WT Docket No. 97-82 Extended to July 17, 2000
This Public Notice extends the deadline for ex parte and other presentations in WT Docket 97-82.

6/7/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-1246)
Auction of Licenses for C and F Block Broadband PCS Spectrum Postponed Until November 29, 2000
This Public Notice postpones Auction No. 35 and gives new key dates for the auction.

4/5/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-760)
WTB Sets Comment Schedule for Petitions for Reconsideration of the Order on Reconsideration of the Fourth Report and Order in WT Docket No. 97-82. Opposition due: April 17, 2000
By this Public Notice, the WTB seeks comment on reserve prices or minimum opening bids and other auction procedural issues for the auction of C and F block broadband Personal Communications Service licenses scheduled to commence on July 26, 2000 (Auction No. 35).

3/3/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-504)
C and F Block Broadband PCS Spectrum Auction Scheduled for July 26, 2000; Comment Sought on Reserve Prices or Minimum Opening Bids and Other Auction Procedural Issues
By this Public Notice, the WTB seeks comment on reserve prices or minimum opening bids and other auction procedural issues for the auction of C and F block broadband Personal Communications Service licenses scheduled to commence on July 26, 2000 (Auction No. 35).
Attachment A: xls

2/18/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-318)
WTB Seeks Comment on AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., Bellsouth Corporation and Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc. Petitions Regarding CMRS Spectrum Cap Limits
Comment Date: March 3,2000
Reply Date: March 10, 2000
This Public Notice seeks comment on petitions requesting a waiver of the Commercial Mobile Radio Service ("CMRS") spectrum cap limits set forth in Section 20.6 of the Commission's rules.

2/11/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-271)
Extension of Filing Deadline for Comments to the Petitions Filed by SBC Communications Inc. and Nextel Communications, Inc. Regarding PCS and F Block 
This Public Notice extends the filing deadline for comments to petitions filed by SBC and Nextel.

2/3/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-191)
WTB Seeks Comment on Nextel Communications, Inc.'s Petition Regarding PCS C and F Block Spectrum
This Public Notice grants extension of filing deadline for comments in this proceeding. The new comment date is February 14,2000 and the new reply comment date is February 22, 2000.
Attachment A: pdf
Attachment B: pdf

1/31/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-145)
WTB Seeks Comment on SBC Communications Inc.'s Request for Waiver of the Eligibility Requirements for Participation in the Upcoming PCS S and F Block Auction
The FCC seeks comment on whether grant of SBC's waiver request would further the public interest.
Attachment A: pdf

1/12/2000
ERRATUM TO PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-49)
Auction of C and F Block Broadband PCS Licenses Notice of Auction Scheduled for July 26, 2000
This notice announces the auction of C and F block broadband Personal Communications Services ("PCS") licenses scheduled to commence on July 26, 2000.
pdf - text - Word
Attachment A: xls

Releases L

12/1/2010
LETTER (DA 10-2271)
Final Default Payment for Auction 35 License CW-BTA127-C1 (Elmira-Corning-Hornell, NY)
Provides Notice and Demand Pursuant to Section 1.2104(g)(1) of the Commission's Rules.

8/30/2007
LETTER (DA 07-3801)
TPS Utilicom, Inc.
Assessed the final default payment obligation of TPS Utilicom, Inc. for Auction No. 35

10/31/2006
LETTER (DA 06-2147)
Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Auction No. 22, Glenn W. Ishihara

10/31/2006
LETTER (DA 06-2148)
Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Auction No. 22, Global Telecommunications International, Inc.

10/31/2006
LETTER (DA 06-2165)
Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Auction No. 22, New Mexico RSA 6-III Partnership

10/31/2006
LETTER (DA 06-2169)
Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Auction No. 22, Pegasus PCS Partners, LP

6/23/2005
LETTER (DA 05-1740)
Calculation of Citifone PCS, LLC Final Default Payment for Auction No. 35

6/23/2005
LETTER (DA 05-1741)
Calculation of TPS Utilicom, Inc.'s Default Payment Obligation for Auction No. 35

8/27/2004
LETTER (DA 04-2690)
Eldorado Communications, LLC Request for Withdrawal of Applications for Review
Granted Eldorado's request to withdraw its applications for review.

10/16/2003
LETTER (DA 03-3263)
Mr. Raymond Quianzon, Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth
This letter denies TPS Utilicom, Inc.'s request that the FCC refund amounts that TPS has on deposit with the Commission

9/5/2003
LETTER (DA 03-2835)
Requests of T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Leap Wireless International, Inc. for Waiver of Bid Withdrawal Payment Obligations
Granted the separate requests of T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Leap Wireless International, Inc. for waiver of the bid withdrawal payment rule.

4/22/2003
LETTER (DA 03-1189)
Letter Address to : Mr. Thomas Gutierrez on behalf of Poplar PCS-Central
This Order grants the request of Poplar PCS-Central for a waiver of the deadline for Eligible Auction 35 Winners to request both the dismissal of their pending 175 application and a refund of their down payment.

Releases O

2/12/2004
MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER (FCC 04-26)
Applications for Consent to the Assignment of Licenses From NextWave Personal Communications, Inc., and NextWave Power Partners, Inc., to Subsidiaries of Cingular Wireless LLC
Granted the applications of several NextWave Personal Communications entities to assign PCS licenses to Cingular Wireless.

9/23/2003
ORDER (DA 03-2924)
Urban Comm-North Carolina, Inc.; Petition for Reconsideration of Public Notice Announcing Auction of C and F Block PCS Spectrum
Petition for Reconsideration of Public Notice Announcing Auction of C and F Block PCS Spectrum.

3/3/2003
ORDER (DA 03-617)
Nextwave Personal Communications Inc. and Nextwave Power Partners Inc.
This Order partially granted the Petition filed by NextWave and denied NY Telecom's request for public comment.

2/21/2003
ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION (DA 03-480)
TPS Utilicom, Inc.
This Order denies a petition for reconsideration filed by TPS and affirms an earlier order denying a request to waive the Commission's down payment rules.

11/14/2002
ORDER AND ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION (FCC 02-311)
Disposition of Down Payment and Pending Applications by Certain Winning Bidders in Auction No. 35; Requests for Refunds of Down Payments Made in Auction No. 35
This Order resolves the issues raised in Public Notice FCC 02-248 and grants relief to eligible winning bidders in Auction No. 35.
See Original PN

3/27/2002
ORDER (FCC 02-99)
Requests for Refunds of Down Payments Made in Auction 35
This Order grants in part, and denies in part, a joint request for refund of down payments made by certain winning bidders in Auction 35.

7/31/2001
ORDER (DA 01-1833)
TPS Utilicon, Inc.; Request for Waiver of Sections 1.2109 and 1.2107 of the Commission's Rules Regarding BTA043, BTA127, BTA215, and BTA330
This Order denies TPS Utilicom, Inc.'s (February 23, 2001) request for waiver of Sections 1.2109 and 1.2107 of the Commission's rules requiring it to make its down payment on licenses for which it was the winning bidder.

1/18/2001
ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION (FCC 01-17)
In the Matter of Amendment of the Commission's Rules Regarding Installment Payment Financing for Personal Communications Services (PCS) Licensees, WT Docket No. 97-82, Adopted: January 16, 2001
This Order addresses five petitions for reconsideration of the Commission's "Sixth Report and Order," in which the Commission modified the auction and service rules for C and F block broadband Personal Communications Services licenses.

12/21/2000
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 00-433)
Southern Communications Systems, Inc.; Request for Limited Rule Waiver to Comply with PCS Installment Payment for C Block License in the Cleveland, TN BTA
This MO&O affirms the the Commission's waiver order and denies Southern's Petition for reconsiderations.

12/21/2000
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 00-434)
Licenses of 21st Century Telesis, Inc.; for Facilities in the Broadband Personal Communications Services
This MO&O denies 21st Century's Request for Reconsideration of Auction and Industry Analysis Division's decision denying its request for extension of time to submit installment payments or, in the alternative, waiver of section 1.2110(f) of the Commission's rules.

12/21/2000
ORDER (DA 00-2889)
21st Century Telesis Inc.; Request for Partial Reconsideration of Public Notice DA 00-2038; Request for Stay Public Notice DA 00-2038
This Order denies 21st Century Telesis, Inc.'s Request for Stay and Petition for Partial Reconsideration.

12/14/2000
ORDER (DA 00-2825)
In the Matter of Nextel Communications Inc.'s Petition for Expedited Action to Modify the Auction Design for Auction No. 35, C and F Block Re-auction
This Order denies Nextel Communications' Petition that the WTB revise the bidding procedures for Auction No. 35 to allow package (combinatorial) bidding.

9/14/2000
ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION (FCC 00-299)
In the Matter of Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications Act - Competitive Bidding Amendment of Parts 20 and 24 of the Commission's Rules - Broadband PCS Competitive Bidding and the Commercial Mobile Radio Service Spectrum Cap Amendment of the Commission's Cellular/PCS Cross-Ownership Rule
This Order on Reconsideration address three petitions for reconsideration of the Commission's Fifth Memorandum Opinion and Order in PP Docket No. 93-253. This Order also addresses nine petitions for reconsideration of the Commission's Report and Order in WT Docket No. 96-59 and GN Docket No. 90-314. Finally, this Order reinstates provisions which, in the Competitive Bidding Sixth Report and Order, were inadvertently eliminated from one of the Commission's competitive bidding rules.

9/6/2000
PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION (FCC 00-335)
In the Matter of Auction of C and F Block Broadband PCS Licenses NextWave Personal Communications, Inc. and NextWave Power Partners Inc. Petition for Reconsideration
This Order denies the Petition for Reconsideration filed by NextWave Personal Communications Inc. and NextWave Power Partners Inc. Denies NextWave's Petition and dismiss Antigone Communications, Limited Partnership and PCS Devco, Inc.'s Application for Review and Settlement Request as moot.

8/29/2000
ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION (FCC 00-313)
Sixth Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration
This Order addresses the tentative conclusions and proposals in the recent Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this docket. It also resolves petitions that precipitated the Further Notice.

6/7/2000
FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (FCC 00-197)
Amendment of the Commission's Rules Regarding Installment Payment Financing for Personal Communications Services (PCS) Licensees
This Order tentatively concludes that it is in the public interest to modify certain aspects of its rules for the upcoming C and F block auction. The Commission seeks public comment on proposals to reconfigure the size of C block spectrum licenses; to modify the entrepreneur eligibility restrictions for certain licenses in both large and small markets; and to retain the spectrum cap.

Releases N

3/27/2002
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Announces It will Refund A Substantial Portion of Certain Auction 35 Down Payments
pdf - text

1/26/2001
NEWS RELEASE
C and F Block Broadband PCS Spectrum Auction Raises Nearly $17 Billion for the U.S. Treasury
pdf - text - Word

9/6/2000
NEWS RELEASE
Press Statement of Chairman William E. Kennard on Nextwave Reconsideration Order
pdf

9/6/2000
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Denies Nextwave Petition for Reconsideration
pdf

8/25/2000
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Revises Rules for Upcoming C and F Block Auction: Action Preserves Opportunities for Small Businesses and Promotes the Rapid Deployment of Wireless Services
html - text - Word

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