FCC LAUNCHES FIRST-IN-THE-WORLD INCENTIVE AUCTION TO
REPURPOSE BROADCAST TELEVISION SPECTRUM FOR MOBILE
BROADBAND; AUCTION SET TO UNLEASH WAVE OF ECONOMIC &
INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S.
Market-based policy innovation will help alleviate growing ‘spectrum crunch’ while providing unique
financial opportunities and other benefits to broadcasters; Auction planned for 2014
(Washington, D.C.) – The Federal Communications Commission today voted to officially launch the
incentive auction process, making the United States the first nation in the world to implement this major
policy innovation, which aims to repurpose broadcast television spectrum for mobile broadband use. The
concept was first introduced in the National Broadband Plan as part of the Commission’s multi-pronged
strategy to meet skyrocketing demand for mobile Internet in the United States, and became the foundation
for legislation that was signed into law in February 2012. As mobile device adoption continues to grow
around the world, this incentive auction will be a model for many countries facing similar spectrum
challenges. [READ MORE]
