FCC offers 20 MHz more for 3G services
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has provided an additional 20 MHz of spectrum for advanced wireless services, commonly referred to as 3G. The FCC has allocated the following two paired 5 MHz blocks: 1915-1920 MHz paired with 1995-2000 MHz, and 2020-2025 MHz paired with 2175-2180 MHz. The 1915-1920 MHz was reclaimed from the unlicensed PCS spectrum, while its pair was reallocated from the mobile satellite services (MSS) band. Frequencies in the other paired band were both reclaimed from the MSS band.

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AirIQ Inc. has announced that following its Boatracs LLC acquisition, the new division will be led by David Brandos, currently VP of business development at Boatracs. Brandos is considered a wireless data and location-based services champion in the wireless communications industry, having held executive and board of director roles at Qualcomm, Alltel Communications, Pharos, Aeris.net and the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association.

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Rogers Wireless to acquire Microcell Telecommunications
Rogers Wireless Inc. and Microcell Telecommunications Inc. announced an agreement on September 20 that will see Rogers Wireless acquire Microcell in an all-cash deal worth $1.4 billion (see editorial on page 8 for Report on Wireless’ commentary on the deal). Rogers Wireless all but signaled its intent to make a bid for Microcell when it filed papers with the Competition Bureau seeking an advanced ruling on whether its acquisition of Microcell would cause any anti-competitive harm. But a bid for Microcell was really cleared when Rogers Communications repatriated the 34% interest previously held by AT&T Wireless. The bid trumps an earlier TELUS Corp. $1.1-billion deal, which was first launched in May and has since been extended a number of times. The company extended the offer of $29 per share on September 20 until October 12.

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The bids are in for unassigned 2300 MHz and 3500 MHz licences and a battle between the three largest national wireless operators is shaping up in many parts of the country. Cable companies, ISPs and telcos are also set to lock horns in a number of locations across the country.

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