Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)

[Data_Rox]

Qualcomm bidding on 700MHz spectrum

Communications Daily
May 29, 2003

The opening day of the FCC's lower 700 MHz auction Wed. generated $24.5 million in gross bids, led by Aloha Partners II with $8.4 million after 2 rounds. Qualcomm was the 2nd highest bidder with $7.6 million, including $3.7 million for an economic area grouping license covering the Southeast. Cavalier Group was 3rd highest at nearly $5 million. Among broadcasters vying for licenses in the auction Capitol Bcstg. bid $164,000 and Banks Bcstg. $191,600. The auction includes 265 licenses in the lower 700 MHz C-block and D-block, including 251 C-block and 5 D-block licenses that remained unsold in an auction that closed in Sept. 2002. The C-block consists of a pair of 6 MHz segments while the D-block is a 6 MHz unpaired block licensed over economic area groupings. The FCC Wireless Bureau recently granted Qualcomm an additional year to use the remainder of an auction discount voucher that had been set to expire June 8. Qualcomm had told the agency it was considering using the $114 million voucher in the lower 700 MHz bidding.