The FCC received a Request for Proposal from NCTA – The Internet & Television Association and CTIA to be the clearinghouse for the C-band relocation payments. The RFP contains the selection criteria, among other things.
The FCC earlier this year adopted rules to make 280 megahertz of mid-band spectrum available for flexible use, plus a 20 MHz guard band, by transitioning existing services out of the lower portion and into the upper 200 MHz of the C-band. The Report & Order specified the creation of a neutral, independent Relocation Payment Clearinghouse to oversee the cost-related aspects of the transition. That includes collecting reimbursement payments from new wireless 3.7 GHz service licensees and disbursing those payments to satellite program distributor incumbents.
The Commission asked a committee of C-band stakeholders to establish detailed selection criteria and to select the Clearinghouse. The search committee submitted the RFP to the Commission on June 1.
It details the selection criteria and instructions for filing proposals for the Clearinghouse position. Entities must file proposals electronically with the search committee, by June 29. Entities may submit questions and/or comments regarding the substance of the RFP by sending an email to: [email protected].
At the same time, the FCC seeks comments on optional lump sum relocation payments to incumbent fixed satellite service earth station operators in the band. The categories and payment amounts are preliminary. File comments to GN Docket No. 18–122 by June 16, according to a Federal Register notice.
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