Media Contact: 
Charlie Meisch, (202) 418-2943
charles.meisch@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI 
ON THE CLOSE OF CLOCK PHASE BIDDING IN THE INCENTIVE AUCTION
WASHINGTON, February 10, 2017 – Today, bidding in the clock phase of the incentive auction 
concluded. The auction will now proceed to the assignment phase, in which winning forward 
auction bidders can bid for specific frequency blocks. The following statement is attributable to 
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.
“Today, the FCC reached a major milestone in the world’s first incentive auction: bidding 
in the forward auction ended.  Congratulations to the winners in both the reverse and 
forward auctions. The participation of these broadcasters and wireless carriers will enable 
the Commission to release 84 megahertz of spectrum into the broadband marketplace.  
These low-band airwaves will improve wireless coverage across the country and will play 
a particularly important role in deploying mobile broadband services in rural areas.
“Delivering on the promise of this auction will require a smooth and orderly post-auction 
transition. That means we must ensure uninterrupted access to over-the-air television and 
a timely clearing of the new wireless band. We will devote a great deal of attention to 
those tasks over the coming months, and it will be a top priority of mine as Chairman of 
this agency.
“I want to express my gratitude to the Members of Congress who enabled the FCC to put 
a novel auction theory into practice by passing the Spectrum Act of 2012. Their 
leadership was instrumental in reaching this result.”  
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Office of Chairman Ajit Pai: (202) 418-2000
Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC
www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).