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The 700MHz wireless spectrum auction taking place in 2008 will have 96 bidders seeking this lucrative slice of the airwaves.

Out of 266 prospective bidders for the 700MHz auction, only 96 received the Federal Communication Commission's blessing as acceptable to file for that wireless spectrum. A couple of names stood out in the list.

Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975, and Google have had their applications accepted by the FCC. They must make an upfront payment by 6 pm ET on January 4th, 2008, to proceed.

As part of the anonymous bidding process, information like the amounts of the upfront payments will not be publicized. Anyone disclosing non-public information, including those payments and license selections, could be in violation of the anti-collusion rules in place for the auction.

Google's application under the name Google Airwaves, and Allen's Vulcan Spectrum, are two of the accepted applicants. A couple of familiar names appear in the Incomplete applications list. Alltel and AT&T have some work to do to get their submissions up to spec, and resubmitted by the January 4th deadline.