Spectrum Experts Release Guide to 'WiMAX Band' Before October 27 Auction

Strength-to-Strength Develop-Ed, LLC on Tuesday released a comprehensive report on who holds what licenses and lease rights in the “WiMAX Band” – the 2.5 GigaHertz band used by the Broadband Radio Service (BRS) and Educational Broadband Service (EBS). This band is home to WiMAX giants Clearwire and Sprint.

The report, “The ‘WiMAX Band’ (2.5 GHz): Characteristics, Technology, Major Spectrum Holders in the BRS-EBS Service and Prospects for Auction 86,” comes on the eve of the next FCC auction in the band, scheduled for October 27, 2009.

The report, by Gregory Rose and edited by Harold Feld, is based on an extensive study of the FCC’s spectrum database and industry trends, concludes that Clearwire appears to be avoiding both the most rural areas and the most competitive markets, such as New York City.

This should create opportunities for smaller companies such as Utopian Wireless and Xanadoo, said Rose, which focus on rural markets avoided by Clearwire.  The report also describes how these trends will play out in the auction.

The Report includes resources that make this a must have reference for anyone interested in the future of WiMAX deployment in the United States:

•    A Searchable Database of All BRS and EBS Licensees and Spectrum Lessees. Anyone who has used the FCC’s Universal License Service knows how difficult it is to search for even basic information. The master database takes all the information and puts it into an easily searched Excel spreadsheet.
•    Special breakout tables and coverage maps for Clearwire and Sprint. Convenient tables and coverage maps show the coverage and relationships of these WiMAX giants.
•    Analysis of the top 35 other providers. The report also lists the top 35 licensees in the band after Sprint and Clearwire, describing their general market areas and what their spectrum holdings say about their strategies.

STS LLC intends to release a post-Auction update within three months of the close of Auction 86.

About BroadbandCensus.com and Strength-to-Strength Develop-Ed

The WiMAX Band report by Strength-to-Strength Develop-Ed is available for purchase from BroadbandCensus.com and Muniwireless.com. The price is $499 (U.S.) until the FCC Auction begins on October 27, 2009. In addition, for $100 extra, customers ordering by October 27, 2009 will receive the post-Auction update.  After October 27, the price for the report will increase to $799.

The WiMAX Band was written by Dr. Gregory Rose, an econometrician and telecommunications consultant, and edited by Harold Feld, a respected expert on spectrum policy and industry blogger. Strength-to-Strength Develop-Ed offers a range of consulting services relating to broadband, progressive education, effective communication, and policy development. For further information about the report, contact Harold Feld, Partner, STS LLC, hfeld@stsllcchange.com, 301-602-7341.

BroadbandCensus.com is a producer of news, data and reports about broadband Speeds, Prices, Availability, Reliability and Competition (the Broadband SPARC). Broadband Census Data LLC offers commercial broadband verification services to cities, states, carriers and broadband users.

Broadband Census News LLC offers daily and weekly reporting, as well as the Broadband Breakfast Club. The Broadband Breakfast Club has been inviting top experts and policy-makers to share breakfast and perspectives on broadband technology and internet policy since October 2008. Both Broadband Census News LLC and Broadband Census Data LLC are subsidiaries of Broadband Census LLC, and are organized in the Commonwealth of Virginia. About BroadbandCensus.com.