I cannot say for now. It is all being discussed and worked out. Let's just say there is serious interest in this idea.

As to another's post, it will take serious $$$ to win the auction in January...Apple is a huge cash cow with over 13 Billion in the bank...the other players (cell phone companies) have already invested in other technologies so it would almost be like paying twice for what they already own. Google could become a big competitor if Apple doesn't work things out well with them, but I doubt (hope) not. I do not think Google has what it will take to manage all the tech in cell phones plus owning a cell phone network.

The challenge for Apple will be to manage the network or possibly allow AT&T to manage jointly with Apple...not sure. This undertaking would be just huge...Apple still needs to figure out how they'd manage it.

Good news though...the action is in Jan 2008...I believe the licenses for analogue TV expire April 1st 2009...so Apple would have over a year to figure out all the details and set this up.

Lastly, as to another comment, it would cost Apple billions...maybe even 10-15 billion possibly...maybe less if others just don't go for this huge investment. That sounds like a lot. But really, if Apple could sell 100 million cell phones and charge monthly rates 20% below the market....this cell phone system would cost 75% less than one with 4 times the number of sites..700mhz is efficient...plus Apple is way more efficient than the stodgy cell phone companies (look at AT&T printing out 200 page bills initially for the iPhone)...so I believe they could manage it for 1/5th the price as a typical network...perhaps less than that.

If Apple can bring in 40 billion in profit per year off of this (assuming 100 million cell phones on it...which equates to 115 million ipods out there), then paying 10-15 billion is pocket change...remember, that 40 billion IS REOCCURING PROFIT EVERY YEAR someone stays on the apple service!