The FCC should “let the market, rather than government fiat,” guide how the upcoming 600 MHznincentive auction is structured, said Commissioner Ajit Pai said Wednesday at a Mobile Future event. Anmarket-based approach includes “letting all companies participate” in the auction by not adopting overly restrictivenrules that limit participation by top wireless carriers Verizon Wireless and AT&T, he said. Pai hasnlong advocated for the agency to follow industry’s advice in developing the rules for the incentive auction.nThe auction rules must also be fair to all stakeholders, Pai said, saying broadcasters and carriers have collaboratednwell during the process. “That’s something we should embrace,” he said. The FCC must also staynwithin statutory bounds allowing the agency to hold the auction and complete the rulemaking process withinna reasonable time frame, Pai said. Uncertainty about the timeline doesn’t serve anyone well, he said. If thenultimate goal of the auction is to provide funding for programs like FirstNet, the FCC must "impose little ornno restrictions" on the auction to make it successful, said Recon Analytics analyst Roger Entner in a relatednpanel discussion. "The more you're imposing restrictions, the less money you'll get."
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