Eldorado Communications, which had vied with NextWave for PCS lic...
Eldorado Communications, which had vied with NextWave for PCS licenses in 1996 C-block auction, said this week it opposed settlement on licenses reached by NextWave, major wireless carriers and U.S. govt. Eldorado contended that NextWave bid up prices, shrinking…
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amount of spectrum that smaller carriers could afford. Earlier this month, Eldorado had filed emergency petition at FCC asking that agency halt “secret negotiations” with NextWave and carriers, saying they violated Administrative Procedure Act, FCC’s own rules, due process protections. “In opposing this settlement, we will pursue our rights before the FCC, in the Congress and in the courts,” Eldorado CEO Will Yandell said. On Fri., when FCC and carriers unveiled final settlement agreement, Eldorado filed Freedom of Information Act request at FCC asking for access to certain documents related to settlement discussions. Eldorado is seeking information on meetings, personal exchanges, letters and e-mails between carriers involved in settlement and FCC staff on NextWave licenses. Eldorado said it had returned licenses it won at auction to FCC, as did other companies, “at substantial cost.” NextWave instead had chosen to “renegotiate” purchase by declaring bankruptcy, Eldorado said.