The FCC will auction ten nationwide licenses this week, using electronic simultaneous multiple round bidding. Future auctions will be held for narrowband PCS licenses covering regional and other local areas. Commissioner James H. Quello opened the bidding at 10 a.m. with a bang of the gavel that brought up the electronic bidding stations. Narrowband PCS will provide for advanced paging and messaging services for an increasingly mobile and information-dependent society. We Commissioners share the vision of a robust competitive new personal mobile communications industry that will benefit the American people in the very near future.
Today is the first step in actually implementing that vision.
Today we open a skylight and invite all Americans to gaze up and dream of a future with new wireless technologies that will enrich our lives, expand our economy and contribute to our national Treasury. Other commercial offerings are limited only by the imagination of those of you bidding today. PCS will continue until there are no higher bidders. Bidding will begin each day at 9 a.m. Final winning bids will be reported on-site as soon as possible after the close of bidding. IVDS bidding will open at 9 a.m. on Thursday.