South Carolina Announces Successful Bidders for its Statewide WiMax Spectrum

The South Carolina Educational Broadband Service (EBS) Commission has recommended leasing spectrum to service providers to create accessible broadband to the populace. Clearwire and Digital Bridge would be allowed to lease up to 95% of South Carolina’s ETV’s unused spectrum.

Both Clearwire and Digital Bridge have committed to offering WiMax technology across the state. In exchange, the two companies would pay nearly $143 million over the course of a 30-year lease into a state general fund, including $7 million upfront.

“The proposal is a great opportunity for South Carolina,” said Neil Mellen, a committee member. “State government will enjoy much-needed revenues for basic services, such as school teachers and public safety, while the lion’s share of the spectrum will be in the hands of those most capable of successfully building it out: dedicated commercial providers. That means broader access, expanded service and lower rates for Internet access throughout South Carolina.”

But Brett Bursey, director of the S.C. Progressive Network stated “This is taxpayer-funded, the millions of dollars South Carolinians have put into building up the broadcast system could and should have resulted in the nation’s first statewide free wireless system.”

After review by a Joint Bond Review Committee, the State Budget and Control Board will have the final say on the proposal next month.

South Carolina Offers Statewide EBS spectrum

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.