To: gdichaz who wrote (38581 ) 1/29/2001 12:49:19 PM From: Eric L Respond to Cha 2,As for additional spectrum for data service, Nextel (and hence Partners) is looking at a 1xRTT solution for 2.5G service. Initial intelligence suggests that 10 MHz is needed for 1x; based on that, Partners estimates it would need 15-18 MHz ultimately for both voice and data (1x also gives expanded voice capacity). We believe Nextel will go aggressively after another 10 MHz of spectrum in the upcoming 700 MHz auction (this is the auction of UHF spectrum currently slated for March 6, 2001). If Nextel were to win spectrum at that auction, Partners would have the right to buy that spectrum from Nextel. Given that many of the national carriers have garnered most of the spectrum they may need in the recently concluded PCS re-auction (see our note January 26, 2001), or at least spent a big chunk of their capital, Nextel should have a good opportunity to secure at least 10 of the 30 MHz to be auctioned. <<
