Off and Running: FCC Broadcast Spectrum Auction Has Begun

March 29, the deadline for stations participating in the incentive auction to commit to an initial bidding option, marked the start of the broadcast spectrum incentive auction process. With these commitments in hand, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) now has all the information it needs to set an initial spectrum clearing target for the auction. The FCC will do this over the next few weeks, as well as conduct mock auctions for broadcasters to allow participating stations to familiarize themselves with the auction software.

While the FCC has yet to set specific dates, the reverse auction will likely begin sometime in May and bidding in the forward auction could begin sometime in June. The FCC has publicly indicated that it hopes to conclude the incentive auction in the third quarter of 2016.

While NAB applauds the FCC on getting to the start of the auction, we are looking ahead to the post-auction spectrum repacking process, in which many hundreds – if not more than a thousand – broadcasters could be relocated to new frequencies in the television band. Though the FCC and some wireless stakeholders continue to insist on a 39-month window for this monumental task, we do not know how long the complex repacking process will take without knowing the number of stations involved.

A recent blog post by NAB Associate General Counsel Patrick McFadden, responding to disingenuous comments by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, outlines some of NAB’s concerns about the 39-month repacking window.

NAB will continue to share updates regarding the incentive auction as it unfolds at nab.org/SpectrumAuctions and on the NAB Policy Blog.