C-Band Auction Rules Likely to Be OK'ed as Circulated
The public notice on the C-band auction, set for a commissioner vote next week (see 2007160072), is expected to be approved as circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai, industry and FCC officials said. Commissioner offices are reviewing the notice. Officials said Tuesday no one has sought changes.
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When commissioners approved an NPRM seeking comment in docket 18-122 on auction rules as part of the larger C-band item in February, Democrats Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks dissented. An order dominated discussions. Rosenworcel’s statement covered both. Industry lawyers said now dissents seem possible on the PN consistent with the NPRM.
“We strongly support Chairman Pai and the FCC moving quickly towards a public auction, and we appreciate that they are doing so,” emailed Steve Berry, president of the Competitive Carriers Association. “Carriers, the economy, and most importantly, consumers, will benefit from sticking to the December 2020 auction date,” he said: “C-band spectrum offers tremendous opportunities for carriers, including those in rural and hard-to-reach areas, to provide next-generation technologies.”
CTIA praised the FCC for moving ahead, in a filing Tuesday not yet posted. It doesn't seek changes. “The Draft Auction 107 Procedures PN contains policies that will result in a sound and efficient auction process to optimize licensing and network performance in the band,” the group said: “CTIA applauds the proposed decision to (i) establish product categories based on clearing deadlines, and (ii) ensure that bidders are assigned contiguous frequency blocks for final assignment of all licenses, as well as for interim holdings of Phase I frequency blocks.”
The Besen Group consulting firm estimated this week the C-band auction will raise more than $40 billion, with the average cost of 46 cents/MHz-POP for the continental U.S. and Alaska.
The FCC’s other mid-band auction, of citizens broadband radio service spectrum, had a slow start, with $554 million in bids Tuesday, after four days and seven rounds, up from $486.5 million Monday. The last big wireless auction, of licenses in the 37, 39 and 47 GHz bands, was at $1.26 billion after seven rounds.