All eyes this week may have been on the Macworld 08 Keynote, but that didn’t stop the FCC from releasing the final line-up [pdf] of participants in the fast-approaching 700MHz spectrum auction.  As expected, Google is one of the companies who has made pre-bid qualifying payment and cleared by the government agency to take part; they’ll be competing against Verizon Wireless and AT&T, who obviously managed to get their paperwork completed in time for the auction deadline.

Also cleared and taking part are fellow OHA-member Qualcomm, as well as EchoStar Communications, Cablevision Systems and the venture led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.  Frontline Wireless, who were expected to take away Block D and build a combination commercial and public-safety network (as required in the FCC rules), have shut down and it is uncertain who - if anyone - will bid for that section of the spectrum.

The auction itself is due to take place on January 24th.