FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez says without the authority to auction spectrum, the Commission is losing people who work on that team. The agency lost its ability to plan and conduct spectrum auctions in March when Congress let it lapse, Inside Towers reported.
“Bright, talented attorneys, economists, engineers, and staff that have built years of expertise in spectrum auctions are having to pivot to other work,” Gomez told attendees of the Americas Spectrum Management Conference. “The robust, expert team that we developed and grew in preparation for more auctions is slimming down,” she said, according to prepared remarks.
“As a result, our auction ability is atrophying…and the longer we have to wait, the harder it will be to rebuild our muscle,” said Gomez, who recently completed her first year as an FCC commissioner. She also noted that without auction authority, the FCC “is losing credibility” on the world stage and “leaving space” for others to step in.
Concerning the National Spectrum Strategy, she said, “The strategy provides a roadmap for continuing to create access to spectrum, advance innovation in spectrum management and use, and maintain our global leadership in wireless innovation.” The strategy identified five bands for in-depth, near-term study totaling 2,786 MHz, Inside Towers reported. “Over the next couple of years, we will see the final studies for these bands, with the 37 GHz band study expected by November,” she said.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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