Auction 66: Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-1)

On December 27, 2005, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce provided estimated costs and timeline information associated with relocating federal operations from the 1710-1755 MHz band. NTIA has since provided updates and progress reports. This information is available on NTIA's web page.

Tribal Bidding Credits
Includes Cellular Market Areas (CMA or MSA and RSA), Economic Area (EA or BEA) and Regional Economic Area Grouping (REAG) Cross References.

Small Entity Compliance Guide for Advanced Wireless Services Spectrum (AWS-1)
pdf - Word

Recent Releases
Major Releases

9/20/2006
Winning Bidders

7/28/2006
Qualified Bidders

7/7/2006
Applications to Participate

5/19/2006
Procedures
Supplemental Procedures

4/12/2006
Procedures

1/31/2006
Comment Sought

12/1/2010
LETTER (DA 10-2262)
Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Bids on Auction 66 License AW-BEA114-C

11/30/2010
LETTER (DA 10-2261)
Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Bid on Auction 66 License AW-REA012-F (Gulf of Mexico)

Fact Sheet

Date:

Auction 66 began on 8/9/2006 and closed on 9/18/2006.
See PN DA 06-1882

Licenses:

Block A: 734 Cellular Market Area (CMA) licenses
Block B: 176 Economic Area (EA) licenses
Block C: 176 Economic Area (EA) licenses
Block D: 12 Regional Economic Area Grouping (REAG) licenses
Block E: 12 Regional Economic Area Grouping (REAG) licenses
Block F: 12 Regional Economic Area Grouping (REAG) licenses

Spectrum:

1710-1755 and 2110-2155 MHz bands

Bandwidth:

Block A: 1710-1720 / 2110-2120 (20 MHz)
Block B: 1720-1730 / 2120-2130 (20 MHz)
Block C: 1730-1735 / 2130-2135 (10 MHz)
Block D: 1735-1740 / 2135-2140 (10 MHz)
Block E: 1740-1745 / 2140-2145 (10 MHz)
Block F: 1745-1755 / 2145-2155 (20 MHz)

Winning Bidders:

104 Bidders won 1087 Licenses

Rounds:

161

Qualified Bidders:

168

Licenses Won:

1087

Licenses Held by FCC:

Total Licenses:

1122

Net Bids:

$13,700,267,150

Gross Bids:

$13,879,110,200

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
Tribal Land Bidding Credits
Incumbents
Auction Closure Requirement
Licensing Rules
Auction Structure and Bidding Procedures

Key Dates

Event	Date
Pre-Auction Seminar	4/24/2006
Form 175 (Short Form) Application Filing Window Opens	6/5/2006; 12:00 noon ET
Form 175 (Short Form) Application Filing Deadline	6/19/2006; 6:00 pm ET
Upfront Payments Deadline	7/17/2006; 6:00 pm ET
Mock Auction	8/7/2006
Auction Start	8/9/2006
Auction Closed	9/18/2006

Licenses Offered

Auction No. 66 will offer 1,122 licenses in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz (“AWS-1”) bands. A complete list of licenses available in Auction No. 66 and their descriptions is provided in Attachment A of Public Notice FCC 06-47.

Permissible Operations

Advanced Wireless Services (“AWS”) is the collective term used for new and innovative fixed and mobile terrestrial wireless applications using bandwidth that is sufficient for the provision of a variety of applications including those using voice and data (such as internet browsing, message services, and full-motion video) content.

License Period and Construction Requirements

Authorizations issued on or before December 31, 2009, shall have a term of fifteen years from the date of initial issuance; licenses issued after December 31, 2009, will have a term of ten years from the date of initial issuance or renewal. See 47 C.F.R. § 27.13(g).

AWS licensees must make a showing of “substantial service” in their license area within the prescribed license term. See 47 C.F.R. § 27.14(a). “Substantial” service is defined as service which is sound, favorable, and substantially above a level of mediocre service which just might minimally warrant renewal. Any licensee that fails to meet this requirement will forfeit its license and the licensee will be ineligible to regain it.

Bidding Credits

Bidding credits are available to small businesses and very small businesses and consortia thereof (as defined in 47 C.F.R. § 1.2110). A bidding credit represents the amount by which a bidder’s winning bid is discounted. The size of the bidding credit depends on the average annual gross revenues for the preceding three years of the bidder, its affiliates, its controlling interests, and the affiliates of its controlling interests:

A bidder with attributed average annual gross revenues that exceed $15 million and do not exceed $40 million for the preceding three years (“small business”) will receive a 15 percent discount on its winning bid.
A bidder with attributed average annual gross revenues that do not exceed $15 million for the preceding three years (“very small business”) will receive a 25 percent discount on its winning bid.

Bidding credits are not cumulative; a qualifying applicant receives the 15 percent or 25 percent bidding credit on its winning bid, but not both.

Tribal Land Bidding Credits

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 wireline penetration rate equal to or below 85 percent is eligible to receive a tribal lands bidding credit as set forth in 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.2107(e) and 1.2110(f). A tribal lands bidding credit is in addition to, and separate from, any other bidding credit for which a winning bidder may qualify. A winning bidder need not qualify for a small business bidding credit to be eligible for a tribal lands bidding credit.

Unlike other bidding credits that are requested prior to the auction, a winning bidder applies for the tribal lands bidding credit after winning the auction when it first files its long-form application (FCC Form 601). In order for a winning bidder to be awarded a tribal lands 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(f). For Auction No. 66 the Commission will award pro rata tribal lands bidding credits in the event that the sum of all net winning bids at the close of bidding, exclusive of tribal lands bidding credits, is not sufficient funds both to meet the reserve price and to award all eligible applicants full tribal lands bidding credits.

Additional information on the tribal lands bidding credit, including how the amount of the credit is calculated, can be found on the Commission’s auction web site at Tribal Land Credits.

Incumbents

AWS-1 bands are currently being used for a variety of Government and non-Government services and require relocating incumbent operations. The lower half of these paired frequencies, i.e., 1710-1755 MHz, is currently a Government band and is covered by a Congressional mandate that requires that auction proceeds fund the estimated relocation costs of incumbent federal entities. The upper half of these paired frequencies, i.e., 2110-2150 MHz band, is used by private (including state and local governmental public safety services) and common carrier fixed microwave services (“FS”). The 2150-2155 MHz band is currently used by the Broadband Radio Service (“BRS”). The Commission has adopted a Ninth Report and Order establishing procedures by which new AWS licensees may relocate incumbent BRS and FS operations in spectrum that has been allocated for AWS.

In addition, AWS-1 licensees must comply with the technical and operational rules set forth in 47 C.F.R. §§ 27.50-27.66 and 27.1131-27.1135 to protect co-channel and adjacent channel incumbent Government and non-Government operations from interference.

Auction Closure Requirement

To comply with a Congressional mandate to recover relocation costs for government operators in the lower (1710-1755 MHz) AWS 1 spectrum band, net winning bids in Auction No. 66 must total at least approximately $2.06 billion in order for the Commission to conclude the auction and award the licenses.

Licensing Rules

See 47 C.F.R. Parts 27 and 101

Auction Structure and Bidding Procedures

For more information about the structure of Auction No. 66 and bidding procedures, see Public Notice FCC 06-47.

Releases P

5/19/2009
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 09-1096)
WTB Seeks Comment on Petition of Denali Spectrum License Sub, LLC for Forbearance from Unjust Enrichment Provisions of 47 C.F.R. Section 1.2111(d)(2)(i)
Denali asks the Commission to forbear from applying the unjust enrichment rules, which require a designated entity ("DE") that has benefited from bidding credits to return some or all of those benefits if it transfers its license to a non-DE or otherwise loses its eligibility for such benefits. Copies of comments and reply comments filed in response to this public notice may be found by using the search function of ECFS (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/) under proceeding 09-64 or through the FCC Reference Information Center, which is located in Room CY-A257 at the Commission's Headquarters.

9/20/2006
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 06-1882)
Auction of Advanced Wireless Services Licenses Closes; Winning Bidders Announced for Auction No. 66
This public notice announces that the auction of the Advanced Wireless Services licenses in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands was completed on September 18, 2006.

7/28/2006
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 06-1525)
Auction of Advanced Wireless Services Licenses; 168 Bidders Qualified to Participate in Auction No. 66; Information Disclosure Procedures Announced
This Public Notice identifies 168 applicants found to be qualified to bid in the upcoming auction of AWS-1 licenses. The Public Notice also includes the information disclosure procedures to be used for Auction No. 66.
Supplemental Files:
Upfront Payments: xls
Licenses Selected: xls

7/7/2006
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 06-1402)
Auction of Advanced Wireless Services Licenses; Status of FCC Form 175 Applications to Participate in Auction No. 66
The WTB announces the status of FCC Form 175 applications to participate in the upcoming Advanced Wireless Service License Auction No. 66.

6/15/2006
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 06-1279)
WTB Opens Filing Window for the Proposal to Develop and Manage the Clearinghouse that will Administer the Relocation Cost Sharing Plan for Licensees in the 2.1 GHz Bands

5/19/2006
PUBLIC NOTICE (FCC 06-71)
Auction of Advanced Wireless Services Licenses Rescheduled for August 9, 2006; Revised Schedule, Filing Requirements and Supplemental Procedures for Auction No. 66
This public notice announces the revised schedule, filing requirements, and supplemental procedures for the upcoming auction of Advanced Wireless Services licenses in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands.

4/20/2006
PUBLIC NOTICE (FCC 06-50)
The FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration - Coordination Procedures in the 1710-1755 MHZ Band
pdf - Word

4/12/2006
PUBLIC NOTICE (FCC 06-47)
Auction of Advanced Wireless Services Licenses Scheduled for June 29, 2006; Notice and Filing Requirements, Minimum Opening Bids, Upfront Payments and Other Procedures for Auction No. 66; AU Docket No. 06-30, FCC 06-47
This public notice announces the procedures, minimum opening bids and reserve price for the upcoming auction of Advanced Wireless Services licenses in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands.
Attachment A (Complete): pdf
Attachment A - All License Summary: xls
Attachment A - Cellular Market Area (CMA) Licenses: xls
Attachment A - Economic Area (EA) Licenses: xls
Attachment A - Regional Economic Area Grouping (REAG) Licenses: xls

1/31/2006
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 06-238)
Auction of Advanced Wireless Services Licenses Scheduled for June 29, 2006; Comment Sought on Reserve Prices Or Minimum Opening Bids and Other Procedures
This public notice announces the Auction of Advanced Wireless Services ("AWS") licenses in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz ("AWS-1") bands. Copies of comments and reply comments filed in response to this public notice may be found by using the search function of ECFS under docket number 06-30 or through the FCC Reference Information Center, which is located at the Commission's Headquarters.
Attachment A - All License Summary: xls
Attachment A - Cellular Market Area (CMA) Licenses: xls
Attachment A - Economic Area (EA) Licenses: xls
Attachment A - Regional Economic Area Grouping (REAG) Licenses: xls

Releases L

12/1/2010
LETTER (DA 10-2262)
Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Bids on Auction 66 License AW-BEA114-C
Provides Notice and Demand Pursuant to Section 1.2104(g)(1) of the Commission's Rules.

11/30/2010
LETTER (DA 10-2261)
Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Bid on Auction 66 License AW-REA012-F (Gulf of Mexico)
Provides Notice and Demand Pursuant to Section 1.2104(g)(1) of the Commission's Rules.

9/18/2008
LETTER (DA 08-2113)
Chequamegon Communications Cooperative, Inc.
Re: Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Auction 66. Assessed a refund in the amount of $216,665.00 to Chequamegon Communications Cooperative, Inc.

9/18/2008
LETTER (DA 08-2115)
Cross Telephone Company
Re: Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Auction 66. Assessed a refund in the amount of $3,910.00 to Cross Telephone Company.

9/18/2008
LETTER (DA 08-2114)
CenturyTel Broadband Wireless LLC
Re: Final Bid Withdrawal Payment for Auction 66. Assessed a refund in the amount of $31,000.00 to CenturyTel Broadband Wireless LLC.

8/8/2006
LETTER (DA 06-1610)
Letter to Timothy E. Welch, Esquire
This letter denies the request of Timothy E. Welch, Esq. To re-evaluate the bidding credit eligibility of a bidder in Auction No. 66.

7/28/2006
LETTER (DA 06-1534)
RE: Sierra Tel Internet Application to Participate in Auction No. 66
This letter denies the request for waiver of the upfront payment deadline for Auction No. 66 made on behalf of Sierra Tel Internet.
pdf - Word

12/29/2004
LETTER
To Mr. Gallagher, U.S. Department of Commerce, from Mr. Powell, Chairman of the FCC
Letter informing Mr. Gallagher of the FCC's plans to auction spectrum in the 1432-1435 MHz and the 1710-1755 MHz bands.

Releases O

5/25/2010
ORDER (FCC 10-90)
In the Matter of Denali Spectrum License Sub, LLC, Petition for Forbearance under 47 U.S.C. Section 160(c) from Application of the Unjust Enrichment Provisions of 47 C.F.R. Section 1.2111(d)(2)(i)
Denied a request by Denali Spectrum License Sub, LLC, to forbear from enforcement of the unjust enrichment provisions of section 1.2111(d)(2)(i) of the Commission's rules.

3/2/2010
ORDER (DA 10-358)
In the Matter of Denali Spectrum License Sub, LLC Petition for Forbearance under 47 U.S.C. Section 160(c) From Application of the Unjust Enrichment Provisions of 47 C.F.R. Section 1.2111(d)(2)(i)
Extended by 90 days the period of time for which the Commission may consider a petition filed by Denali Spectrum License Sub, LLC seeking forbearance from the Commission's rules.

3/26/2008
ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION (FCC 08-92)
Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and Modernization of the Commission's Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures
Denied the Petition

3/9/2007
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 07-19)
Public Service Wireless Services, Inc., Request for Reconsideration of Public Notice Revising the Schedule, Filing Requirements and Supplemental Procedures for the Auction of Advanced Wireless Services Licenses
The Commission denies the request of Public Service Wireless Services, Inc. for reconsideration of the Commission's decision to revise the schedule and certain procedures for the auction of Advanced Wireless Services licenses (Auction No. 66).

8/10/2006
ORDER (DA 06-1617)
Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and Modernization of the Commission's Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures
This Order extends the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments in response to the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in WT Docket No. 05-211 until September 20, 2006, and October 20, 2006, respectively.

6/16/2006
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (DA 06-1281)
Re: Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and Modernization of the Commission's Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures; WTB Clarifies, on its Own Motion, How Certain Application and Reporting Requirements Adopted by the Commission in the Second Report and Order in this Proceeding will be Implemented
By the Acting Chief, WTB clarifies, on its own motion, how certain application and reporting requirements adopted by the Commission in the Second Report and Order in this proceeding will be implemented.

6/16/2006
ERRATUM (DA 06-1280)
Re: Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and Modernization of the Commission's Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures; Erratum Corrects FCC 06-52, Second Report and Order
Issued an Erratum correcting FCC 06-52, Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, released April 25, 2006. by ERRATUM AND NOTICE OF OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET APPROVAL OF INFORMATION COLLECTIONS
See FCC 06-52

6/2/2006
ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION OF THE SECOND REPORT AND ORDER (FCC 06-78)
Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and Modernization of the Commission's Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures

4/25/2006
REPORT AND ORDER (FCC 06-52)
Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and Modernization of the Commission's Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures, Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of proposed Rule Making
See Erratum

4/21/2006
NINTH REPORT AND ORDER AND ORDER (FCC 06-45)
Amendment of Part 2 of the Commission's Rules to Allocate Spectrum Below 3 GHz for Mobile and Fixed Services to Support the Introduction of New Advanced Wireless Services, including Third Generation Wireless Systems
Adopted Relocation Procedures And Cost Sharing Rules To Facilitate Access Of Spectrum For Advanced Wireless Services.

2/3/2006
FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING (FCC 06-8)
Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and Modernization of the Commission's Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures

8/15/2005
ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION (FCC 05-149)
Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 1.7 GHz and 2.1 GHz Bands
The FCC advanced its efforts to make spectrum available for an array of innovative wireless services and technologies, including voice, data, video, and other wireless broadband services offered over Third Generation ("3G") mobile networks.

9/22/2004
SIXTH REPORT AND ORDER, THIRD MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER, AND FIFTH MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 04-219)
Amendment of Part 2 of the Commission's Rules to Allocate Spectrum Below 3 GHz for Mobile and Fixed Services to Support the Introduction of New Advanced Wireless Services, including Third Generation Wireless Systems
Continued ongoing efforts to promote spectrum utilization and efficiency by evaluating spectrum that may be suitable for the provision of new services, including Advanced Wireless Services. By 6th R&O, 3rd MO&O, and 5th MO&O.

11/25/2003
REPORT AND ORDER (FCC 03-251)
Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 1.7 GHz and 2.1 GHz Bands
In this Report and Order, we adopt service rules for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) in the 1710-1755 and 2110-2155 MHz bands, including provisions for application, licensing, operating and technical rules, and for competitive bidding

Releases N

9/18/2006
News Release
FCC's Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) Spectrum Auction Concludes
The FCC's first auction of Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum licenses ended on September 18, 2006. A total of 1,122 licenses were offered in the auction, and 104 bidders won 1,087 licenses.
pdf - Word
Statement of Chairman Martin: pdf - Word

6/2/2006
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Clarifies Certain Aspects of Its "Designated Entity" Eligibility Rules Adopted In April 2006
pdf - Word

5/19/2006
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Modifies Advanced Wireless Services Auction Schedule, Moves Start Date to August 9, 2006
The FCC released a Public Notice that revises the schedule and filing requirements for the FCC's upcoming first auction of spectrum licenses for Advanced
Wireless Services (AWS).
pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Adelstein: pdf - Word

4/25/2006
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Modifies its "Designated Entity" Eligibility Rules in Advance of the Upcoming Advanced Wireless Services Auction
pdf - Word

4/12/2006
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Establishes Procedures for Advanced Wireless Services Auction Scheduled to Begin June 29, 2006
The FCC adopted a Public Notice that establishes procedures, minimum opening bids, and a reserve price for the FCC's upcoming first auction of spectrum licenses for Advanced Wireless Services.
pdf - Word
Statement of Chairman Martin: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Copps: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Adelstein: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Tate: pdf - Word

8/5/2005
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Modifies Advanced Wireless Service Rules to Provide Greater Flexibility and Access to Spectrum for Small and Rural Providers
The FCC advanced its efforts to make spectrum available for an array of innovative wireless services and technologies, including voice, data, video, and other wireless broadband services offered over Third Generation ("3G") mobile networks.
pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Copps: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Adelstein: pdf - Word

12/29/2004
NEWS
FCC to Commence Spectrum Auction That will Provide American Consumers New Wireless Broadband Services
In a letter to Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Michael D. Gallagher, FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell stated that the Commission intends to commence an auction for Advanced Wireless Services licenses in the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz bands as early as June 2006.
pdf - Word
Letter to NTIA: pdf

10/15/2004
NEWS
FCC Clears Spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services in 1710-1755 MHz Band by Making Relocation Spectrum Available for Incumbent Federal Government Operations
Allocated spectrum to allow Federal operations to be cleared from spectrum that has been allocated for advanced wireless services (AWS), including third generation wireless (3G) systems.
pdf - Word
Statement of Chairman Powell: pdf - Word

9/9/2004
NEWS
FCC Designates Spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services and Proposes Licensing and Service Rules
pdf - Word
Statement of Chairman Powell: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Abernathy: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Copps: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Adelstein: pdf - Word

10/16/2003
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Adopts Third Generation ("3G") Rules Making 90 MHz of Spectrum Available for Broadband and Advanced Wireless Services
In a Report and Order adopted today, the Federal Communications Commission advanced its efforts to provide new and existing wireless operators with additional spectrum resources and issued rules that will enable wireless providers to offer an array of innovative products and services, including wireless broadband Internet access.
pdf - Word
Statement of Chairman Powell: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Copps: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Martin: pdf - Word
Statement of Commissioner Adelstein: pdf - Word

Releases R

8/9/2006
(DA 06-1612)
Small Entity Compliance Guide for Advanced Wireless Services Spectrum (AWS-1)
The AWS-1 Small Entity Compliance Guide explains to small entities, in plain language, what the FCC requires of them with respect to complying with the new AWS-1 service rules.

No results here for this auction.

Auction Seminar

This seminar was held on April 24, 2006. You may view the presentations below.

Presentations

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Jim Schlichting Deputy Bureau Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
pdf - PowerPoint

Pre-Auction Process
Lisa Stover, Auctions Marketing Specialist, Auctions & Spectrum Access Division (ASAD)
pdf - PowerPoint

Licensing Matters

Overview of AWS Service Rules, Due Diligence, and Tribal Lands Bidding Credit

John Spencer, Attorney, Broadband Division

pdf - PowerPoint

Panel on Auction Rules, Application and Payment Procedures

Electronic Filing of Form 175 and Overview of Auction Rules

Lisa Stover, Auctions Marketing Specialist, ASAD

Scott Mackoul, Attorney, ASAD

pdf - PowerPoint

Wire Transfer & Payment Process

Gail Glasser, Financial Management Specialist, Auctions Accounting Group

pdf - PowerPoint

Auction Bidding Procedures

Overview of Auction Process & FCC Auction System

Craig Bomberger, Associate Chief, ASAD

pdf - PowerPoint

Auction 66: Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-1)

Summary

Fact Sheet

Auction Seminar

Education