IP: Space Data Wins FCC Narrowband Auction

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
>
> [Note:  This item come from reader Benn Kobb.  DLH]
>
> At 4:09 -0800 11/2/01, Bennett Kobb wrote:
> > From: Bennett Kobb <bkobb () newsignals com>
> > To: DEWAYNE HENDRICKS <DEWAYNE () WARPSPEED COM>
> > Subject: Fwd: Space Data Wins FCC Narrowband Auction
> > Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 04:09:49 -0800
> > MIME-Version: 1.0
> >
> > Space Data Wins 1.4 MHz of Nationwide Spectrum in FCC Auction
> > Company Also Chosen To Provide Telecom for Jicarilla Apache Nation
> >
> > November 2, 2001-Phoenix, AZ:  Space Data Corporation was the high bidder 
> > on more than 1.4 MHz of nationwide Narrowband PCS spectrum in the 900 MHz 
> > band in the Federal Communication Commission's most recent 
> > auction.  Space Data will pay approximately $4.2 million for these 
> > spectrum licenses after small business and tribal land bidding 
> > credits.  "This is an extraordinary value," explained the company's 
> > Chairman and CEO, Jerry Knoblach.  "In 1994, at the first FCC Narrowband 
> > PCS auction, this much spectrum would have cost more than $1.1 billion."
> >
> > Space Data will use the spectrum allocation to bring a host of advanced 
> > digital wireless communications services to rural areas and current 
> > coverage holes across the United States.  The company's unique technology 
> > combines low-cost communications electronics with weather balloons 
> > ("SkySites").  The technology, while unique to the telecom industry, has 
> > been used continuously for more than 50 years by weather services 
> > throughout the world.  The Space Data system works seamlessly with 
> > existing wireless devices and service providers at a cost comparable to 
> > the use of towers in urban areas. Hence, no special customer equipment is 
> > required.
> >
> > Space Data will operate primarily as a "carrier's carrier" serving 
> > existing wireless service providers, who in turn serve the end 
> > users.  The Space Data system allows wireless carriers to extend their 
> > reach into previously unserved and underserved areas at a fraction of the 
> > cost of building towers or using satellites.  Space Data will open the 
> > world of advanced wireless communications to the approximately 20 percent 
> > of the US population who currently live outside coverage 
> > areas.  Deployment of the first Space Data system is scheduled for next year.
> >
> > In September, the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau formally 
> > approved Space Data's balloon-based technology, a ruling that removed the 
> > final hurdle in the purchase and use of a nationwide spectrum license 
> > that Space Data acquired earlier in the year.  When the FCC approves the 
> > company's license applications Space Data will hold licenses that cover 1.
> > 5 MHz of nationwide spectrum.  This spectrum will allow Space Data to 
> > provide a variety of high-quality, nationwide advanced wireless services 
> > to rural and outlying suburban areas.
> >
> > Patents are pending for Space Data's unique technology.  The company has 
> > successfully raised private funding to develop its technology and fund 
> > its spectrum acquisitions, and is now arranging institutional financing 
> > to deploy the SkySite network.  There will be a phased rollout of the 
> > system in the United States followed by deployment internationally.
> >
> > Serving Tribal Lands
> >
> > In a separate but related action, the Jicarilla Apache Nation in New 
> > Mexico passed a resolution certifying the requirements needed for Space 
> > Data to receive bidding credits under FCC's Tribal Land Bidding Credit 
> > program.  Space Data has committed to bring telecommunications services 
> > to the tribe's 1289 square miles of reservation land.  These bidding 
> > credits can be applied by Space Data as payment in the just completed 
> > Narrowband PCS auction.  The FCC established this program of bidding 
> > credits to encourage the provision of modern communications to tribal 
> > lands.  "We are very pleased that the Jicarilla leaders agree that our 
> > technology is the most practical and efficient way to bring wireless 
> > service to their community," said Knoblach.  "We appreciate their 
> > leadership and know that many other Native American communities will also 
> > benefit."
> >
> > For more information, please visit http://www.spacedata.net.
> > Media contact:  Tim Ayers, 202-857-9734; mobile 202-422-5048; 
> > tim () ayersassociates net.


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