The major carriers should get their money ready because the Federal Communications Commission is going to start the process to auction more 700-MHz spectrum.
The governmental agency is looking to move the D block segment, which was also up for auction the last major 700-MHz auction. It failed to reach its bid price because there were too many restrictions attached – many lawmakers are looking to use parts of the D block to create a much-needed, interoperable communications network for law enforcement agencies.
T-Mobile could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this auction because it needs more spectrum to expand its mobile data networks. The carrier is considering a joint venture with Clearwire in order to boost its spectrum, but this auction could kill the need for that.
It’s a major process with typical governmental timing, so don’t look for the full auction to happen until the first or second quarter of 2011 – the auction winner probably won’t be able to roll out services using it for another year, as well.
[Via Electronista]