The FCC established the application and bidding procedures for Auction 110, the auction of spectrum in the 3.45 GHz band. Bidding is scheduled to start on October 5.
FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel called the auction a critical step toward delivering on the promise of 5G. “This auction will bring us closer to 5G service that is fast, secure, resilient, and most importantly, available across the country.”
Auction 110 will offer up to 4,060 new flexible-use licenses in the 3.45 to 3.55 GHz band divided into ten, 10-megahertz blocks licensed by Partial Economic Areas. In the first phase of the auction, the clock phase, bidders will bid on generic blocks in each geographic area. In the second phase, the assignment phase, they will bid on frequency-specific license assignments.
In a Public Notice, the agency specifies upfront payment and minimum opening bid amounts. It also includes bidding credit discounts for eligible small businesses, rural service providers, and for the deployment of facilities and services to qualified federally recognized tribal lands. As required by law, auction proceeds must cover the expected sharing and relocation costs for federal users in the band.
The Commission set a reserve price of approximately $14.7 billion. By setting the October bidding start date, the FCC is fulfilling Congress’ directive to begin auctioning the spectrum by December 31.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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