700 MHz picture getting clearer

We learned over the past few days that Leap and MetroPCS will bid in the 700 MHz spectrum auction. This is in addition to what we already knew: Verizon and AT&T would go head-to-head. Google entered the fray last last Friday, though that was pretty much a given. We’ve also seen Sprint declare their abstinence from participation, while Frontline guns for the public safety sector. A few other developments came yesterday regarding Clearwire and Cablevision.

You might remember Clearwire from their recently-terminated partnership with Sprint on a WiMax network. Clearwire, with funding from other companies, continues the endeavor, while Sprint just tries to get its own cards in order. Clearwire, like Sprint, has announced that they will not bid in the auction. It would be tough for Clearwire to win anything significant, anyway, because of their lack of funding.

Cable conglomerate Cablevision, though, has announced that they will bid on the spectrum. They join Cox Communications as cable companies involved in the auction. They seem to be the only two, though. Competitors Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Charter Communications have announced their intentions not to bid.

So, as a roundup, we have: Verizon, AT&T, Leap, MetroPCS, Frontline, Cox, Cablevision, Google. We expect to see a few more smaller carriers announced before the deadline of December 28.

[RCR Wireless News] [Telegeography]

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