Media Contact: 
Cecilia Sulhoff, (202) 418-0587
cecilia.sulhoff@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON BIDDING PROCEDURES FOR 
DECEMBER 8 C-BAND AUCTION

WASHINGTON, February 28, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission today voted to seek comment on proposed application and bidding procedures for an auction of new flexible-use overlay licenses for the 3.7-3.98 GHz portion of the C-band.  

The C-band holds the potential to be prime spectrum for 5G services.  Bidding in this auction, which is designated as Auction 107, is scheduled to commence on December 8, 2020.  Today’s Public Notice seeks comment on proposed upfront payment and minimum opening bid amounts for 5,684 new flexible-use overlay licenses.  It also proposes to establish two categories of spectrum blocks in each region: five 20-megahertz blocks in the lower 100 megahertz (3.7–3.8 GHz) and nine 20-megahertz blocks in the remaining 180 megahertz (3.8–3.98 GHz).  In addition, the Public Notice proposes bidding credit caps of $25 million for small businesses and $10 million for rural service providers, as well as a $10 million cap on the overall amount of bidding credits that a small business bidder may apply to winning licenses in smaller markets.

The auction as proposed would use an ascending clock auction design.  First, the clock phase would allow bidding on generic blocks in each geographic area in successive clock bidding rounds.  Second, the assignment phase would allow clock phase winning bidders to bid for frequency-specific license assignments.  The Public Notice also outlines pre-auction rules to ensure anonymous bidding and limited information procedures.  

The action taken today is another step toward implementing FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s 5G FAST Plan, which is critical to securing American leadership in 5G and boosting economic growth, job creation, and America’s global competitiveness.  

Action by the Commission February 28, 2020 by Public Notice (FCC 20-23).  Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly and Carr.  Commissioners Rosenworcel and Starks dissenting.  Commissioner Rosenworcel issuing a separate statement.

AU Docket No. 20-25

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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).