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A surprise player emerges in the government’s historic auction of airwaves
The Switch
A surprise player emerges in the government’s historic auction of airwaves
By Brian Fung February 9
@b_fung
Venture capital and other investment firms have been positioning themselves to enter a major auction of wireless airwaves this spring that is expected to reshape the nation's communications networks, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. ... At least one local firm, Alexandria-based Columbia Capital, intends to bid on the valuable frequencies used to carry mobile voice and data, said a person with knowledge of the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans are confidential.
The auction of airwaves has been described by federal regulators as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could bolster an existing wireless network, equip a new entrant to compete with the likes of Verizon Wireless and AT&T, or enable a company to develop next generation wireless technologies. Wednesday evening marks the application deadline for those who want to bid in the auction.
A number of investment companies have been conducting their own analyses on the value of these airwaves in recent months, trying to determine whether they should jump in and how much they should spend. The result could be a bidding war as financial firms jockey with wireless carriers, cable companies and perhaps even some in the tech industry in an intensely competitive land rush for high-value wireless real estate.
...
Founded by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Columbia Capital has long been a major player in the wireless communications business. In the 1980s, Warner played a pivotal role in helping companies break into the emerging market for cellular service, which required licenses from the Federal Communications Commission. In 1989, he founded Columbia Capital and reaped a fortune as the industry boomed. Warner still has substantial investments in Columbia Capital, according to 2014 financial disclosure forms listed by the Center for Responsive Politics.... A Warner spokeswoman said: "Sen. Warner has had no role at Columbia Capital, and his investments have been managed by a trustee, since before he became Virginia governor in 2002."
A surprise player emerges in the government’s historic auction of airwaves
By Brian Fung February 9
@b_fung
Venture capital and other investment firms have been positioning themselves to enter a major auction of wireless airwaves this spring that is expected to reshape the nation's communications networks, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. ... At least one local firm, Alexandria-based Columbia Capital, intends to bid on the valuable frequencies used to carry mobile voice and data, said a person with knowledge of the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans are confidential.
The auction of airwaves has been described by federal regulators as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could bolster an existing wireless network, equip a new entrant to compete with the likes of Verizon Wireless and AT&T, or enable a company to develop next generation wireless technologies. Wednesday evening marks the application deadline for those who want to bid in the auction.
A number of investment companies have been conducting their own analyses on the value of these airwaves in recent months, trying to determine whether they should jump in and how much they should spend. The result could be a bidding war as financial firms jockey with wireless carriers, cable companies and perhaps even some in the tech industry in an intensely competitive land rush for high-value wireless real estate.
...
Founded by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Columbia Capital has long been a major player in the wireless communications business. In the 1980s, Warner played a pivotal role in helping companies break into the emerging market for cellular service, which required licenses from the Federal Communications Commission. In 1989, he founded Columbia Capital and reaped a fortune as the industry boomed. Warner still has substantial investments in Columbia Capital, according to 2014 financial disclosure forms listed by the Center for Responsive Politics.... A Warner spokeswoman said: "Sen. Warner has had no role at Columbia Capital, and his investments have been managed by a trustee, since before he became Virginia governor in 2002."