OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 5, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Federal Communications Commission has notified DCC PCS, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Dobson Communications Corporation (OTCBB:DCEL), that the agency will refund $16.1 million in Dobson deposits related to FCC Auction No. 35. Dobson expects to receive the refund by the end of December.
In early 2001, DCC PCS participated in Auction No. 35 and was high bidder on 14 wireless licenses in seven states and Washington, D.C. The agency ruled in November 2002 that Auction No. 35 bidders may withdraw their bids for licenses related to NextWave Personal Communications, Inc., have the related deposits returned, and be relieved of any obligation to purchase NextWave licenses on which they were high bidders. DCC PCS was high bidder on 11 NextWave licenses.
"The FCC's decision removes a cloud over the U.S. wireless industry and will support a more rapid deployment of next-generation technologies and consumer services," said Everett Dobson, chairman and chief executive officer.
DCC PCS has a pending application for three non-NextWave licenses, for Juneau and Fairbanks, Alaska and Syracuse, New York, on which the Company was also high bidder in Auction No. 35. Approximately $1.9 million remains on deposit with the FCC in relation to these licenses, representing 20 percent of their total value of approximately $9.6 million.
Dobson Communications is a leading provider of wireless phone services to rural markets in the United States. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the Company owns or manages wireless operations in 17 states. For additional information on the Company and its operations, please visit its Web site at www.dobson.net.