Frontline Wireless Shuts Down
Company Planned to Bid in FCC Spectrum Auction, Build Public-Private Fourth-Generation Wireless Network
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/9/2008 11:58:00 AM
Frontline Wireless, which pushed the Federal Communications Commission to set aside prime spectrum for a public-private fourth-generation wireless network that would be turned over to first responders in emergencies, is shutting down..
With the backing of public-safety groups, Frontline lobbied hard for the opportunity to create the network, outlined its proposal to the FCC, got former FCC chairman Reed Hundt on board to push for it and said it would bid in the Jan. 24 auction of reclaimed broadcast analog spectrum.
Hundt confirmed to B&C that Frontline was going out of business, but said he could say no more, adding that "the lawyers are very strict about it."
The FCC even made some changes to the auction rules for the 24 megahertz of prime spectrum real estate that made them more Frontline-friendly. But Frontline failed to raise sufficient financing to come up with money that would have allowed it to bid in the auction. The deadline for that payment was Friday.
"Frontline is closed for business at the time," spokeswoman Mary Greczyn said, without elaboration.
