If the FCC hands down an order giving Nextel 10 MHz of spectrum a...
If the FCC hands down an order giving Nextel 10 MHz of spectrum at 1.9 GHz, as expected as part of the rebanding plan (CD June 25 p5), it could drive up prices in NextWave’s election scheduled to start…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
July 8, with bids due July 6, Legg Mason suggested in a report Fri. “Although not directly linked, the Nextel and NextWave spectrum proceedings could affect one another,” Legg Mason said. “We believe that if the Commission stays with the 1.9 GHz option… this could increase the bidding for the NextWave spectrum because carriers will not have another shot at 1.9 GHz spectrum.” Analyst firm Kaufman Bros. said Nextel’s pending win at the FCC makes its stock look like an attractive buy, especially given its weakened price. “We believe the situation at the FCC is unusual because of the interference that is being caused to public safety operations,” the firm said in a Fri. research report. “The solution appears to us to meet the needs of all parties and does not represent a give-away of spectrum, in our view.” Medley Global Advisers said Nextel appears to be winning, but several details still must be worked out: “Some of these issues include the specific price Nextel will pay for 1.9 plus rebanding costs, time lines for relocating private and public licensees in 800, and other aspects of the consensus plan that could involve forcing Nextel to give up some spectrum in the 700 band.” Medley said the FCC must still evaluate the litigation risk presented from siding with Nextel.