Auction 7: 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service

Summary

December 5, 1995 - April 15, 1996
Rounds:
168
Bidding Days:
79
Qualified Bidders:
128
Winning Bidders:
80 bidders won 1020 licenses
Gross Bids:
$212,215,788
Net Bids:
$204,267,144
Spreadsheets Files
All Markets
All Bidders
Charts Files
Top Licenses (by High Bid)
Summary of Round Results
Activity and Revenue Graph
Maps & Band Plans
Major Trading Areas Map
General Information
Auction Announcements
Auction Programs 
For more information see "Specialized Mobile" on the WTB services page.

4/15/1996
Winning Bidders
Applications to Participate

10/31/1995
FCC announces the status of applications to participate in auction of 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service
txt

Procedures
Bidder Information Package
900 MHz SMR (Specialized Mobile Radio) Major Trading Area Licenses Frequency Blocks A-T Bidder Information Package
I. Highlights: pdf
II. Auction Procedures, Terms and Conditions: pdf
III. Electronic Filing and Remote Access Instructions, Software Order Form: pdf
IV. FCC Forms, and Instructions: pdf
V. Selected FCC Auction Rules & Partial Bibliography: pdf - pdf - pdf

Fact Sheet

Date:

Auction 7 began on 12/5/1995 and closed on 4/15/1996.
(See PN 96-586)

Licenses:

1020 licenses. 20 (blocks A-T) in each of 51 Major Trading Areas (MTAs)

Spectrum:

Half in the 935-940 MHz; half in the 896-901 MHz

Bandwidth:

Blocks A thru T - 0.25 MHz ea. in 51 MTAs

Winning Bidders:
80 bidders won 1020 licenses
Rounds:
168
Qualified Bidders:
128
Licenses Won:
1020
Total Licenses:
1020
Net Bids:
$204,267,144
Gross Bids:
$212,215,788

 

General information and associated licensing parameters are listed below. Public Notices provide specific information regarding this auction.

Key Dates

EventDate
Pre-Auction Seminar
11/9/1995
Form 175 (Short Form) Application Filing Deadline
10/26/1995; 5:30 pm ET
Upfront Payments Deadline (Cashiers Check)
11/13/1995; 11:59 pm ET
Upfront Payments Deadline (Wire Transfer)
11/13/1995; 3:00 pm ET
Mock Auction
10/31/1995
Auction Start
12/5/1995
Auction Closed
4/15/1996

Licenses Offered

A total of 1020 licenses, 20 licenses (blocks A-T) in each of 51 Major Trading Areas (MTAs). The 900 MHz systems operate on two 12.5 kHz channels paired.

Permissible Operations

Specialized Mobile Radio Services (SMR) are used primarily for voice communications. Systems are also being developed for data and facsimile services. Additionally, the development of digital SMR technology is allowing new features and services such as two-way acknowledgement paging and inventory tracking, credit and authorization, automatic vehicle location, fleet management, remote database access, and voice mail.

License Period

Licenses are issued for a term not to exceed ten years.
Build Out Requirements: 1/3 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. § 90.665(c).

Installment Payments

Installment payments were offered. See the Bidders Information Package for more information on this subject.

Incumbents

Incumbent SMR systems in the 900 MHz MTA blocks are entitled to co-channel protection by MTA licensees, as well as adjacent channel interference protection. Incumbent systems, however, are not allowed to expand beyond existing service areas unless they obtain the MTA license for the relevant channels. Incumbents: MTA 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. Secondary sites for which applications were filed on or before August 9, 1994, will be afforded complete co-channel protection. No secondary sites will be granted after the selection of MTA licensees. See 47 C.F.R. § 90.667(b). Incumbents may modify or add sites so long as they do not exceed existing 40 dBu signal strength contour. See 47 C.F.R. § 90.667(a). .

Releases P

9/18/1998
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 98-1897)
WTB Provides Guidance on Grace Period and Installment Payment Rules
This Public Notice provides guidance to licensees participating in installment payment programs regarding the revised Part 1 rules governing grace periods and installment payments.
pdf - text 

10/18/1996
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 96-1692)
Pleading Cycle Established for Waivers of Down Payment Rules in the Broadband Personal Communication Services C Block, 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio, and Multipoint Distribution Service Auctions
This Public Notice solicits comments on all aspects of each request for waiver of down payment requirements in connection with three recent auctions: Broadband PCS C Block, 900 MHz SMR, and MDS.

8/12/1996
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 96-1282)
FCC Announces Grant of 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio MTA Licenses
This Public Notice announces the WTB, under delegated authority, granted the applications listed in Attachment A hereto for Major Trading Area (MTA) licenses in the Specialized Mobile Radio Service (SMR) in the 896-901 MHz bands.
pdf - text
Attachment A: xls

5/6/1996
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 96-709)
900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service Information
This Public Notice lists the Form 600 applications submitted for Major Trading Areas (MTA) licenses in 900 MHz SMR service have been conditionally accepted for filing.

4/15/1996
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 96-586)
FCC Announces Winning Bidders In The Auction Of 1020 Licenses To Provide 900 MHz SMR In Major Trading Areas
This Public Notice provides post auction details for winning bidders in the auction of 1,020 Major Trading Area (MTA) licenses to provide Specialized Mobile Radio Service in the 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz bands (900 MHz SMR).

4/4/1996
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 96-481)
WTB Will Strictly Enforce Default Payment Rules
This Public Notice reminds bidders that the Commission's rules concerning default payments will be strictly enforced in all auctions.

2/7/1996
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 96-146)
Reminder For Auction Participants: Exercise Caution In Submitting Bids And Make Use Of Available Safeguards
This Public Notice serves as a reminder to participants in the ongoing FCC spectrum auctions -- and for applicants in future auctions -- that authorized bidders should be careful and verify their bids prior to submission to avoid mistakes.

2/7/1996
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 96-145)
Comment Sought on Requests to Waive Bid Withdrawal Payments and General Enforcement Guidelines
The WTB seeks comment on requests for waiver.

1/23/1996
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 96-060)
Commission Announces Availability Of Auction Tracking Tool
This Public Notice announces a software tool for tracking the progress of the FCC's PCS C-Block auction will be made available to the public on January 23, 1996.
text - Tool (zip)

11/20/1995
PUBLIC NOTICE (PNWL 95-132)
MDS Auction Schedule Change, 900 MHz SMR Commencement Change and PCS C Block Commencement and Bidding Seminar Date Change Due to FCC Shutdown
This Public Notice announces changes to the Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) auction schedule, postponements of the 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) service and the Personal Communications Service (PCS) C Block auctions, and a new date for the PCS C Block bidding seminar as a result of the government-wide shutdown last week.
text

11/13/1995
PUBLIC NOTICE (PNWL 95-130)
Electronic Filing Access Closed, MDS Auction Schedule Change, 900 MHz SMR Auction Commencement Date Change, and PCS C Block Bidding Seminar Date Change Due to Shut Down
This Public Notice announces changes to the Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) auction schedule, a postponement of the commencement of the 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) service auction, and a change of date for the Personal Communications Service (PCS) C Block bidding seminar due to a government-wide shutdown resulting from a lapse in FCC appropriations as of 11:59 P.M., November 13, 1995.
text

11/6/1995
PUBLIC NOTICE (PNWL 95-126)
WTB Restates Rules, Announces Seminar Location Change and Electronic Bidding For 900 MHz SMR Auction
The FCC received 167 FCC Form 175 applications for the 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) service auction scheduled to commence on November 28, 1995.
text

10/31/1995
PUBLIC NOTICE (PNWL 95-124)
FCC Announces the Status of Applications to Participate in Auction of 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service
The FCC ("FCC") has received 167 timely-filed FCC Form 175 applications to participate in an auction scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 28, 1995, for 1,020 Major Trading Area ("MTA") licenses to provide Specialized Mobile Radio ("SMR") service in the 896-901 MHZ and the 935-940 MHZ bands.
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.

10/24/1995
PUBLIC NOTICE (PNWL 95-120)
FCC Announce Auction Simulation For MDS and 900 MHz SMR Applicants
This Public Notice announces the FCC (FCC) will conduct an auction simulation on October 31, 1995.
text

11/4/1994
PUBLIC NOTICE (FCC 94-283)
Commission Announces That Mutually Exclusive "Short-Form" Applications (Form 175) To Participate In Competitive Bidding Process (Auctions) Are Treated As Exempt For Ex Parte Purpose.
In the Second Report and Order in PP Docket No. 93-253, 9 FCC Rcd 2348 (1994), recon. Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 94-215 (released August 15, 1994), the Commission adopted general rules to implement the authority conferred in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to employ competitive bidding ("auction") procedures to choose among mutually exclusive applications for initial licenses.

Releases L

9/22/2009
LETTER (DA 09-2092)
Morris Communications, Inc.
Dismissed a Motion for Stay Pending Review filed by Morris Communications, Inc.

4/25/2005
LETTER (DA 05-1131)
Morris Communications, Inc.'s Request for Waiver and Petition for Rule Waiver of Section 1.2110 (g)(4) Denied; Request for Stay Dismissed as Moot
Morris Communications, Inc.'s Request for Waiver and Petition for Rule Waiver of Section 1.2110 (g)(4) DENIED; Request for Stay DISMISSED as moot. (DA 05 -1131)

5/28/2002
LETTER (DA 02-1270)
Letter to Delaney M. DiStefano, Esq., Schwaninger & Associates, P.C. on behalf of CommNet Communications Network, Inc. ("CommNet")
This letter denies CommNet's request that the Auctions and Industry Analysis Division suspend ComNets installment payment obligations for one year.

1/11/2002
LETTER (DA 02-62)
Letter to David J. Kaufman, Esq., Brown, Nietert, & Kaufman, Chartered
This letter dismisses as moot Mobile Relay Associates, Inc.'s grace period request.

6/1/2001
LETTER (DA 01-1319)
Letter Addressed to Russell H. Fox, Esq. and Russ Taylor, Esq. Re: Request for Temporary Waiver of Installment Payment Due Date
This letter responds to and denies the Petition filed on behalf of Capital Two-Way Communications, Inc. (petitioner) requesting that the Auctions and Industry Analysis Division waive the Commission's installment payment rules.

2/2/1999
LETTER (DA 99-277)
Letter to Meredith S. Senter, Jr., Esquire
This letter is in response to a request for waiver of 47 CFR Section 90.812 filed on behalf of Cordell Engineering, Inc. (CEI).

Releases O

1/5/2010
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 10-1)
Alpine PCS, Inc., CommNet Communications Network, Inc., GLH Communications, Inc., Inforum Communications, Inc., Lancaster Communications, Inc., Allen Leeds, TV Communications Network, Inc., Virginia Communications, Inc., Requests for Waiver of the Installment Payment Rules and Reinstatement of Licenses
Denied eight requests seeking reversal of staff-level decisions denying requests for waiver of section 1.2110 of the Commission's installment payment rules.

6/6/2008
ORDER (DA 08-1355)
Comtec Communications, Inc.

2/21/2008
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 08-57)
Morris Communications, Inc.

5/9/2007
ORDER (DA 07-2032)
CommNet Communications Network, Inc., Request for Waiver and for Reinstatement of the 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Service T Block License for MTA007, Dallas-Fort Worth, KNNX959

2/7/2007
ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION (DA 07-595)
Spectrum Resources, Inc., Request For Reconsideration of the Automatic Cancellation of Auction No. 7 Licenses
This Order denies a petition filed by Spectrum Resources, Inc., seeking reconsideration of the dismissal of its applications for assignment of two 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio service licenses.

2/7/2007
ORDER (DA 07-597)
In the Matter of Lancaster Communications, Inc. Request for Waiver of Installment Payment Rules for Auction No. 7 and Reinstatement of Licenses Application for Assignment of 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio Licenses
This Order denies (1) a request for waiver of Commission's installment payment rules; (2) a petition for reconsideration of the dismissal of an Assignment Application; (3) a motion for stay of that dismissal.

1/29/2007
ORDER (DA 07-316)
In the Matter of Rapid Wireless Ltd. Request for Waiver of Installment Payment Rules for Auction No. 7 License
This Order denies the request of Rapid Wireless Ltd. for a waiver of the Commission's installment payment rules.

2/17/2006
ORDER (DA 06-381)
WTB Grants Advanced Communications Solutions, Inc., a Nunc Pro Tunc Waiver of the Automatic Cancellation Provision of 47 CFR 1.2110(g)(4)(iv)

7/22/1999
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 99-189)
In the Matter of Two Way Radio Of Carolina, Inc. Request for Waiver of 47 C.F.R. § 1.2105(b)(2)
This Memorandum Opinion and Order, denies Two Way Radio's Application for Review of the Bureau's decision in which it denied Two Way Radio's request for waiver of 47 CFR 1.2105(b)(2) governing modifications to short-form applications
pdf - text 

8/5/1998
ORDER (DA 98-1522)
In the Matter of ClearCall, Inc. Request for Waiver of 47 C.F.R. § 1.2105(b)(2), DA 98-922, adopted May 19, 1998
This Order grants a partial waiver based on Wilderness' request and assesses a bid withdrawal payment.
pdf - text 

5/19/1998ORDER (DA 98-922)
In the Matter of ClearCall, Inc. Request for Waiver of 47 C.F.R. § 1.2105(b)(2), DA 98-922, adopted May 19, 1998
This Order grants ClearCall, Inc.'s Request for Dismissal of it's Application for Review filed March 30, 1998, and dismisses with prejudice ClearCall's Request for Waiver of 47 C.F.R.. § 1.2105(b)(2).
pdf - text 

5/23/1997
ORDER (FCC 97-1085)
In the Matter of Rapid Wireless, Ltd. Request for Waiver of Section 90.805 of the Commission's Rules
This Order grants a Request for Waiver of Sections 90.805(a) and 90.805(b) filed by Rapid Wireless, Ltd. and also waives Section 1.2104(g) of the Commission's Rules.
pdf - text 

5/6/1997
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (FCC 97-154)
In the Matter of Atlanta Trunking Associates, Inc. and MAP Wireless, L.L.C. Petition for Reconsideration of Bid Withdrawal Payment Georgia Independent PCS Corporation Application for Review of Request to Waive Bid Withdrawal Payment Provision
This MO & O grants a complete waiver of the Commission's bid withdrawal payment provisions to MAP Wireless, LLC for an erroneous bid submitted in the 900 MHz SMR auction and to Atlanta Trunking Associates and Georgia Independent PCS Corp. for erroneous bids submitted during the C block PCS auction.

1/21/1997
ORDER (DA 97-140)
In the Matter of Two Way Radio Of Carolina, Inc. Request for Waiver of 47 C.F.R. § 1.1205(b)(2)
This Order denies Two Way Radio's Petition for Reconsideration of the denial of its request to change its designated entity status in connection with the 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio ("SMR") auction.
pdf - text 

1/21/1997
ORDER (DA 97-141)
In the Matter of Clearcall, Inc. Request for Waiver of 47 C.F.R. § 1.2105(b)(2)
This Order denies ClearCall, Inc.'s Petition for Reconsideration of the denial of its request to change its designated entity status in connection with the 900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio ("SMR") auction.
pdf - text

5/3/1996
ORDER (FCC 96-203)
In the Matter of Atlanta Trunking Associates, Inc. and MAP Wireless L.L.C. Requests to Waive Bid Withdrawal Payment Provisions
This Order grants Atlanta Trunking Associates, Inc. and MAP Wireless, L.L.C.'s Requests for Waiver of its rules governing bid withdrawal payment and reduces their bid withdrawal payments.

9/14/1995
SECOND ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION AND SEVENTH REPORT AND ORDER (FCC 95-395)
In the Matter of Amendment of Parts 2 and 90 of the Commission's Rules to Provide for the Use of 200 Channels Outside the Designated Filing Areas in the 896-901 MHz and the 935-940 MHz Bands Allotted to the Specialized Mobile Radio Pool Implementation of Section 309(j) of the Communications Act - Competitive Bidding Implementation of Sections 3(n) and 322 of the Communications Act
This Second Order on Reconsideration and Seventh Report and Order adopts final auction rules for the 900 MHz SMR service and address reconsideration petitions concerning the service rules adopted in the Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making.

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