IP Democracy: Frontline Takes Another Run at Spectrum Bidding

Wireless start-up Frontline Wireless is going to bid in the upcoming 700 MHz auction. Frontline had been shut out of the auctions last summer when the rules barred the company from acting as a wholesaler of service.

But the politically savvy firm, which counts former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt as Vice Chairman and fomer NTIA head Janice Obuchowski as chairman, succeeded in pushing through a rule change a few weeks back that permits it to resell the airwaves if it succeeds in the auction. Otherwise, Frontline wouldn't be able to make a go of it -- only truly deep pocketed bidders can afford to promise retail sales of wireless service.

Not that Frontline doesn't have some impressive backers. Jim Barksdale, Kleiner Perkins' John Doerr and Google founding board member Ram Shriram are all investors.

Frontline will team with public safety-oriented wireless company Cyren Call to help it build a national network for emergency responders if it emerges as a spectrum winner. The left-over spectrum not being used for emergency purposes will be what Frontline offers to third parties.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on December 3, 2007 8:14 AM to IP Democracy