The FCC adopted a Report and Order and Second Report and Order updating its competitive bidding rules to facilitate the upcoming AWS-3 spectrum auction, aiming to bring approximately 200 spectrum licenses to market. The Commission’s decision will enable the auction of AWS-3 spectrum licenses, which have remained unused since certain winning bidders defaulted after the 2014 auction. The updated bidding credit rules will allow small businesses and rural service providers to participate meaningfully, in the form of bidding credits, reflecting legislative and regulatory changes since the original auction. The AWS-3 bands include spectrum between 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz. The decision was approved by Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty, with Commissioner Gomez approving in part and concurring in part.
