Media Contact: Cecilia Sulhoff, (202) 418-0587 cecilia.sulhoff@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ANNOUNCES FIRST GRANTS OF PRIORITY ACCESS LICENSES IN THE 3.5 GHZ BAND FCC Grants 17,450 Licenses to 222 Applicants -- WASHINGTON, March 12, 2021—The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau today announced that it had issued the majority of the Priority Access Licenses won in the 3.5 GHz auction (Auction 105). This week, the Bureau granted 222 out of the 255 applications received for Priority Access Licenses. The 3.5 GHz auction had the highest number of winning bidders in a spectrum auction to date. These applications represent 17,450 Priority Access Licenses. Over seventy percent of the applicants issued licenses this week received a very small business, small business, or rural service provider bidding credit in the auction. “Five years ago, this agency recognized that our traditional spectrum auctions needed an update—and that the 3.5 GHz band was the perfect place to start” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Then this past summer, the FCC took a significant step forward with the record-setting 3.5 GHz band auction.  With today’s grants we continue to make progress in implementing the 3.5 GHz band concept and further demonstrate US leadership in spectrum innovation.” Spectrum Access System Administrators will manage shared used of the 3.5 GHz band by federal and non-federal users in the three tiers of authorization: Incumbent Access, Priority Access, and General Access. The Bureau continues to review and process the remaining applications for Priority Access Licenses. More information on the applications granted today is available in the Bureau’s Public Notice: https://www.fcc.gov/document/auction-105-long-form-applications-granted. ### Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 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).