FCC Seeks Comment On Assigning Available Spectrum To The Public

Key Points

• The FCC is seeking public comment on methods to enable access to currently unassigned spectrum in their auction inventory that can be used for wireless radio service.
• The Commission took this step because Congress has not renewed its auction authority, which expired in March 2023.
• The FCC has responsibility to make spectrum resources available for use in the public interest. The FCC typically uses spectrum auctions to assign licenses. Prior to having auction authority, the Commission used comparative hearings or lotteries to assign licenses.

Background

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) has historically used "exclusive, geographic-area licensing" to provide nationwide wireless broadband coverage, and it typically uses spectrum auctions to assign the licenses. Prior to auction authority, the Commission used comparative hearings to assign licenses. The unwieldy comparative hearing proceedings were later replaced by