FCC Grants IDT Spectrum Key License Extensions

IDT Spectrum Inc., said today that the FCC has extended its one thousand and thirty-four 39 GHz band licenses until June 1, 2012. These licenses cover Economic Areas (EAs) across all fifty states, including 175 markets with a population of approximately 285 million people.

Howard Jonas, Chairman of IDT commented, “The FCC’s decision to extend these licenses will accelerate the adoption of mobile broadband across the country. It is a win for the American public, for our economy, and for individuals’ freedom to communicate.”

In April, the FCC also extended the company’s sixteen 28 GHz Local Multipoint Distribution Service (“LMDS”) band licenses until June 1, 2012. IDT Spectrum’s LMDS licenses cover sixteen Basic Trading Areas (BTAs) across the country.

Jim Courter, CEO of IDT commented, “These extensions represent an important milestone for IDT and for our Spectrum business. They would not have happened without a tremendous effort by IDT Spectrum’s professional staff. They effectively demonstrated that growth in the wireless and Wi-Max markets has spurred demand for 39 GHz band spectrum.”

IDT Spectrum is the largest holder of commercial high frequency, exclusively licensed, fixed wireless spectrum in the United States. On average, IDT holds more than 500 MHz of spectrum in the top two hundred U.S. markets and approximately 940 MHz in the top fifty markets.

Michael Rapaport, CEO of IDT Spectrum, applauded the FCC's action. “The FCC deserves credit for speeding the deployment of Wi-Max through the auction of the 700 MHz spectrum and these 39 GHz license extensions. Once again, the FCC has sided with consumers to increase competition and lower costs. IDT Spectrum is ideally positioned to serve this market with highly competitive backhaul solutions and Wi-Max build-outs.”