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Court hears FCC auction dispute
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2002

The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments in a dispute involving Alaska Native corporations and their billion-dollar investment in wireless licenses.

The Federal Communications Commission seized more than $4 billion in licenses from a bankrupt company that never fully paid for them. Along with partner AT&T, three Alaska Native corporations bought $2.9 billion worth in a subsequent FCC auction.

NextWave Communications contends the seizure was illegal and the Court is being asked to affirm this finding. The FCC, represented by the Department of Justice, said it was acting within its rights.

The FCC would have to refund the corporations for the licenses if it loses the case. According to media accounts of the oral argument, the FCC's position was treated skeptically by members of the Court.

Get the Story:
What's the Frequency, Clarence? (Slate.Com 10/8)
High Court Hears Airwaves-Auction Suits (The Washington Post 10/9)
Supreme Court Seems Skeptical of F.C.C. Position on NextWave (The New York Times 10/9)
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Get the Decision:
NEXTWAVE PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS INC. v. FED. COMMUNICATIONS COMM'N, No 00-1402 (D.C. Cir June 22, 2001)

Relevant Documents:
FCC Merits Brief | FCC Petition | FCC Reply Brief | Docket Sheet: No. 01-657

Relevant Links:
Federal Communications Commission - http://www.indianz.com/myredir.asp?url=http://www.fcc.gov/
Arctic Slope Regional Corp - http://www.indianz.com/myredir.asp?url=http://www.asrc.com/
Sealaska Corp - http://www.indianz.com/myredir.asp?url=http://www.sealaska.com/
Doyon Ltd - http://www.indianz.com/myredir.asp?url=http://www.doyon.com/
NextWave Telecom - http://www.indianz.com/myredir.asp?url=http://www.nextwavetel.com/