Space Data was high bidder on more than 1.4 MHz of national narro...
Space Data was high bidder on more than 1.4 MHz of national narrowband PCS spectrum in FCC auction of 900 MHz band. Space Data said it would pay $4.2 million for licenses after small business and tribal bidding credits…
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were taken into account. “This is an extraordinary value,” Chmn. Jerry Knoblach said: “In 1994, at the first FCC narrowband PCS auction, this much spectrum would have cost more than $1.1 billion.” Space Data said it planned to use spectrum to deploy technology that used weather balloons combined with communications technology to provide broadband services to rural areas. Company said it planned to operate mostly as carrier’s carrier by serving existing wireless providers, allowing them to extend reach of their networks without cost of building towers or turning to satellites. FCC Wireless Bureau had approved company’s balloon-based technology in Sept. When Commission approves its license applications, Space Data said it will hold licenses that cover 1.5 MHz of nationwide spectrum. It said it had patents pending for its “unique technology.” Company indicated it already had raised private funding to develop its technology and finance its spectrum acquisitions and now planned to arrange institutional financing to roll out its network. Space Data also said that Jicarilla Apache Nation in N.M. had adopted resolution that required that company receive bidding credits under FCC’s auction program.