The FCC rolled out details of its planned auction of 200 licenses in the AWS-3 bands (1695– 1710 MHz, 1755–1780 MHz, and 2155–2180 MHz). The list of licenses to be offered in Auction 113 is available in the Attachment A file on the Auction 113 website at: www.fcc.gov/auction/113. The agency seeks public comments on the proposed auction procedures.
It proposes using an ascending clock auction format, meaning bidding in the clock phase would be for specific licenses. The Spectrum and Secure Technology and Innovation Act directs the Commission to initiate a system of competitive bidding to grant AWS-3 spectrum licenses in its inventory as of December 23, 2024. Auction proceeds will be used to reimburse small carriers in the “Rip & Replace” program for removing and disposing of Huawei and ZTE equipment from their networks and rebuilding new ones, Inside Towers reported.
The AWS-3 spectrum will be licensed on a geographic area basis. Of the 200 licenses offered in Auction 113, 48 will be Economic Area licenses and 152 will be Cellular Market Area licenses. The AWS-3 frequencies will be licensed in five and 10 MHz blocks, with each license having a total bandwidth of five, 10, or 20 MHz.
According to the FCC, “The 1695–1710 MHz band will be licensed in an unpaired configuration for low-power mobile transmit (i.e., uplink) operations. The 1755–1780 MHz band will be licensed paired with the 2155–2180 MHz band, with the 1755–1780 MHz band authorized for low-power mobile transmit (i.e., uplink) operations and the 2155–2180 MHz band authorized for base station and fixed (i.e., downlink) operations.”
Each potential bidder is responsible for investigating and evaluating all technical and marketplace factors that may have a bearing on the potential uses of a license that it may seek in Auction 113. In addition to the typical due diligence considerations the FCC encourages bidders in all auctions, the agency emphasizes, “we call particular attention in Auction 113 to the incumbency issues in the 1695–1710 MHz, 1755–1780 MHz, and 2155–2180 MHz bands and protection of federal and non-federal incumbent operations.” The agency encourages applicants to “consider carefully the technical and economic implications for commercial use of the AWS-3 band.”
Comments on the proposed auction procedures are due to AU Docket 25-117 on or by April 10.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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