South Carolina is currently offering statewide coverage of 2.5 GHz EBS spectrum for lease. The state has been collecting the licenses over the past few years and even formed a commission to oversee the management of the assets.
Spectrum Bridge, Inc. recently issued a press release about the offering of SC's holdings. According to the release:
The RFP process, which is currently under way, is
being enhanced via interactive spectrum-mapping technology developed by Spectrum Bridge for its SpecEx™ online spectrum marketplace. All licenses available from the Commission via the RFP can be researched, and customized views can be created, via a dedicated page on the SpecEx.com website. SpecEx attracts a wide range of potential bidders including both traditional and non-traditional 2.5 GHz wireless users.
“South Carolina is offering an impressive portfolio of broadband spectrum, and we are pleased to help them in their efforts to get the most value from their licenses,” said Richard Licursi, CEO of Spectrum Bridge. “The breadth and depth of licenses contained in this RFP represents a once-in-a-lifetime offering of broadband and WiMAX-ready spectrum. We anticipate it will attract interest from a wide range of bidders from within,
and outside of, the wireless industry."
This particular offering offers coverage of approximately 5.6 million people with 67 licenses available in whole or part. The RFP (pdf) has a Feb. 16, 2009 deadline.
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1 comment:
SCEBSC Members,
If possible, please defer on execution of lease or awarding of contracts surrounding facilities in the 2.5GHz EBS band. As I am sure you are aware President Obama has tasked the NTIA, RUS and the FCC to develop a national broadband plan by February, 2010. They are also tasked with disseminating $7.2B through the new Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). This spectrum will play a pivotal role in defining fundamental improvements in traditional financing, deployment, operating and revenue models to fulfill upon and sustain programs developed from BTOP and ARRA initiatives.
There are many issues that need to be addressed when considering use of this spectrum on a statewide or nationwide scale.
• Determine the value of the spectrum to Communities, Cities and Counties and identify the plethora of services and applications available to their constituency, community outreach, public services and systems within the entire GSA coverage area
• Determine CapEx, OpEx and revenue models for markets to be served
• Educate and invite more public participation
• Encourage formation of public/private partnerships in GSA’s to be served
• Identify potential/current attributes and flaws in proposed (under lease agreement) distribution of services using this spectrum by:
o Providing full transparency of current lease agreements in other similar sized markets
o Determining best use of BTOP funding as non-profit EBS spectrum holders have already received upfront and residual payments based on the lease value of a potential BTOP asset
o Determining best use of BTOP funding as non-profit EBS spectrum holders, that in addition to having already received monetary consideration for the BTOP asset maintained, they have also been identified as potential applicants to BTOP loans/grants and;
o Determining value of the lease to encompass progressive revenue share directly benefiting all GSA markets, BTOP and ARRA programs.
South Carolina is in a very strong position to shape a new landscape for broadband infrastructure and operating models in this Country. Please defer on any decisions regarding this spectrum until the NTIA, RUS and the FCC can digest the public input gathered in the past 4-6 weeks and provide direction on possible policy and rule changes using this spectrum.
Thank you,
I am,
Sincerely,
Bradford L. Bowman
Program Director, AccessDelray.org
561.252.4764
bbowman@accessdelray.org
http://www.accessdelray.org
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