There's widespread interest in the citizens broadband radio service auction, but it’s not clear who will pursue licenses or how they will be used, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said during a FierceWireless webinar Monday. The FCC faced pressure to delay the start of the auction July 23 because of credit market jitters tied to COVID-19 (see 2005140050). “The insatiable demand” for mid-band spectrum “is only going to increase over time,” he said.
With the FCC citizens broadband radio service auction set to start, the agency is under pressure to further delay the auction because of credit market issues. Markets remain jittery due to the pandemic, a problem for small players that may need to raise the money to bid. The FCC postponed the auction in March to July 23, from June 25, because of COVID-19 concerns (see 2003250052).
The FCC approved 5-0 allowing broadband in 900 MHz, reallocating a 6 MHz swath while keeping 4 MHz for narrowband. Commissioners voted electronically (see 2005130008) before Wednesday's abbreviated virtual meeting, as expected (see 2005070054). Anterix executives said the spectrum could help utilities across the U.S. update operations and move to a smart grid.
Uncertainty remains about what COVID-19 will mean for AT&T and the wireless industry, Chief Financial Officer John Stephens said at a MoffettNathanson conference Tuesday. Speakers on a small-cells webinar said COVID-19 is adding to data growth and to the demand on carriers to densify their networks.
The FCC granted waiver requests by Comcast and Midcontinent Communications (see 2004280039), which Comcast partially owns, allowing both to bid in the citizens broadband radio service auction. “In light of Comcast’s limited role in the management and decisions of Midco under a long-standing agreement unrelated to the auction and the internal controls implemented by the parties, we find that application of the prohibition against commonly controlled applicants would not serve its intended purpose in these specific circumstances and that waiver serves the public interest,” the Wireless Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics said in an order in Wednesday’s Daily Digest.
Broadcasters, public safety groups and wireless mic makers raised concerns about proposals to allow TV white spaces (TVWS) devices to operate with higher power in less-congested areas, in comments on an FCC NPRM. Commissioners approved the notice 5-0 in February (see 2002280055). CTA, public interest groups and Microsoft urged the FCC to approve the proposal. Initial comments were due Monday in docket 20-36.
The FCC Office of Economics and Analytics and the Wireless Bureau sought comment by May 4 on a waiver request by Comcast and Midcontinent Communications, which Comcast partially owns, allowing both to bid in the citizens broadband radio service auction. FCC rules “prohibit an entity from having a controlling interest in more than one short-form auction application,” said a notice in Tuesday’s Daily Digest on docket 19-244. “Absent the requested relief, Midco and Comcast would not be permitted to participate in the auction as two separate applicants.”
The FCC should consider making permanent temporary spectrum assignments it approved in reaction to COVID-19, and in a way that treats everyone fairly, Commissioner Brendan Carr said during a Forum Europe webinar Tuesday. Carr said U.S. networks are doing well under this “surprise stress test.”
CBRS Alliance President David Wright and telecom lawyers said Thursday they are hopeful the COVID-19 pandemic won't further affect the citizens broadband radio service auction. The FCC last month delayed it to July 23 (see 2003250052). Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel had noted concerns about further pandemic-related effects on the CBRS sale and other spectrum auctions (see 2003310049).
The FCC is to publish its procedures public notice for the citizens broadband radio service auction in Thursday's Federal Register. The auction of priority access licenses starts July 23; applications are due May 7.