The FCC seems inclined to address as a stand-alone item a Council...
The FCC seems inclined to address as a stand-alone item a Council Tree Communications petition proposing changes to the designated entity (DE) rules, separating it from the advanced wireless services (AWS) order, a knowledgeable source said. Complications caused by…
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the petition prompted Chmn. Martin to delay the AWS order, originally expected to get a vote at the July agency meeting (CD July 19 p3). Council Tree wants the FCC to limit bidding eligibility for licenses in AWS Block D (1735-1740/2135-2140 MHz) to entities qualifying as small or very small businesses, or offer a 35% bidding credit there. It also wants the FCC to provide an additional 10% bidding credit for DEs serving underserved populations and keep large incumbent wireless carriers from entering any financial relationships with a DE if both have licenses with material geographic overlap. Council Tree also wants the FCC not to let individuals whose net worth exceeds $3 million to have a controlling interest in a DE. “The petition raises challenging procedural issues,” an FCC source said: “Another issue is if we decide to have a further notice, do we do it in this or other proceeding and how it may affect the timing of the [AWS] auction.” The possibility of separating DE issues from the AWS order “has been raised” on the 8th floor, but “it’s still a part of the debate [and] nothing has been decided,” the source said. Should the FCC decide to separate the Council Tree petition from the AWS order, it probably will announce that decision at the Aug. 4 meeting and act on the petition “at a later date,” another agency source said.