FCC's Bid to Elicit More Commercial Interest In 700 MHz D Block Draws Mixed Reviews

摘要

The FCC's notice proposing changes to rules governing the 700 megahertz D-block auction suggest that the Commission may not have done enough to prompt commercial entities to bid for the frequencies and enable the desired creation of a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network in the band, according to some telecommunications industry observers. On the other hand, public safety interests, while generally supportive of the FCC's proposed changes, are concerned that some aspects may go too far in the direction of winning over commercial interests at the expense of public safety. Comments were filed Nov. 3 on the FCC's third further notice of proposed rulemaking on the D block issues in WT docket 06-150 and PS docket 06-229. The FCC's rulemaking notice, adopted Sept. 25, was aimed at providing more incentives for commercial bidders on the D-block spectrum, after the initial attempt to auction the frequencies failed to attract the $1.33 billion reserve price. The proposal would allow entities to bid on D-block licenses in 58 regions or on one nationwide license, which is how the spectrum was made available earlier this year. Some public safety and commercial entities have pressed the Commission to adopt a regional approach, and Commissioner Deborah T. Tate, in particular, has voiced the benefits of such a regime.