UHF freqency auction threatens wireless industry

Tom Barlow — Thu, 17 May 2007 20:20:00 EST

Filed under: Deals, Products and Services, Industry, Competitive Strategy, Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), Motorola (MOT), XM Satellite Radio (XMSR), Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI), AT and T (T), Sprint Nextel Corp (S), BellSouth Corp (BLS), Comcast Cl'A' (CMCSA), ConAgra Foods (CAG), Verizon Communications (VZ), Office Depot (ODP), Nortel Networks (NT), QUALCOMM Inc (QCOM), Time Warner Cable (TWC), Qwest Communications Intl (Q)

In 2009, UHF television stations will abandon analog frequencies as they shift to digital. The frequencies that they will abandon will soon go on the FCC's auction block, and the result could shape the internet and wireless industry for decades to come.

These frequencies, in the 700 mhz range (channels 52-68), are desirable because they travel long distances without interference. Any company wanting to build a national wireless broadband network would find UHF the perfect foundation. In an age of growing connectivity, the profit potential of owning such a backbone is enormous.

The players are already lined up to fight for the frequencies. As you can imagine, the cell phone companies will be players, if for no other reason than to keep new competitors out of their market. Other bidders may include satellite television providers such as DirecTV, and rich internet moguls including Google (NASDAQ:GOOG).

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