Text Version


October 27, 1997





Press Statement of

FCC Commissioner Susan Ness

Regarding Spectrum Auctions





I strongly disagree with the statement issued today by Chairman Hundt.

The decision of any licensee to file for protection under the bankruptcy laws cannot be blamed on the Commission or any group of Commissioners. It is not the role of the Commission to bail out -- to the detriment of both the American taxpayer and the integrity of the auction process -- those who overbid or overleveraged.

The marketplace, not the FCC, should determine winners and losers. That's what a market-driven auction is all about.