The U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced today that they plan to go forward with an auction of additional television broadcast spectrum. This was an unofficial announcement in advance of notices of proposed rule making and their public comment periods.
"(Washington, D.C.) – The Federal Communications Commission today voted to officially launch the incentive auction process, making the United States the first nation in the world to implement this major policy innovation, which aims to repurpose broadcast television spectrum for mobile broadband use. The concept was first introduced in the National Broadband Plan as part of the Commission’s multi-pronged strategy to meet skyrocketing demand for mobile Internet in the United States, and became the foundation for legislation that was signed into law in February 2012. As mobile device adoption continues to grow
around the world, this incentive auction will be a model for many countries facing similar spectrum challenges."
Specifically targeted is the 600 MHz band currently occupied by TV channels 36 through 51. The FCC will be looking at repacking TV broadcasters into the remaining TV channels.
The full text of the FCC's announcement along with downloadable copies of remarks from the Commissioners is available here:
FCC Initiates Incentive Auction Process | FCC.gov
"(Washington, D.C.) – The Federal Communications Commission today voted to officially launch the incentive auction process, making the United States the first nation in the world to implement this major policy innovation, which aims to repurpose broadcast television spectrum for mobile broadband use. The concept was first introduced in the National Broadband Plan as part of the Commission’s multi-pronged strategy to meet skyrocketing demand for mobile Internet in the United States, and became the foundation for legislation that was signed into law in February 2012. As mobile device adoption continues to grow
around the world, this incentive auction will be a model for many countries facing similar spectrum challenges."
Specifically targeted is the 600 MHz band currently occupied by TV channels 36 through 51. The FCC will be looking at repacking TV broadcasters into the remaining TV channels.
The full text of the FCC's announcement along with downloadable copies of remarks from the Commissioners is available here:
FCC Initiates Incentive Auction Process | FCC.gov