LMDS reauction finalized

After two weeks, the local multipoint distribution service reauction has ended. In round 43 last Wednesday, the highest bidder in Block A, or 1150 MHz, was Lightspeed Communications, which spent more than $2.1 million for the San Juan, Puerto Rico, market.

The second highest bidder in Block A, TLA Spectrum, paid more than $1.2 million for La Crosse, Wis., and also secured spectrum in Duluth, Minn., Eau Claire, Wis., and Burlington, Vt. The company was also present in Block B, or 150 MHz, nabbing spectrum in three Minnesota cities: Rochester, Austin and Alberta. The auction drew 90 qualified bidders, 40 of which captured 161 available markets-121 in Block A and 40 in Block B. It generated a net revenue of $45,064,450.

"It appears that the winners from the original auction were not present under the entity that they were a year ago," said Andrew Kreig, president of the Wireless Communications Association. "One could read a variety of rationales into this, but most likely these are rural markets requiring a different business plan than required last year."