US Launches its First 5G mmWave Auction while Following a Distinctive Path for C-Band: Opportunities and Risks

On November 14, 2018, the FCC launched its first mmWave auction for 28 GHz spectrum, being awarded on a county basis, to be followed quickly by a second auction for 24 GHz spectrum, to be awarded on a PEA basis. Then, mmWave spectrum in the 37, 39 and 47 GHz bands will be awarded via…

FCC Agrees to Streamline Small Cell Planning Procedures

The FCC has adopted new rules that are designed to reduce mobile operators’ costs when deploying small cells. The Commission believes the rule changes could save mobile operators $2 billion in red-tape, which could stimulate another $2.5 billion of additional buildouts. These reforms, approved at the FCC’s September Open Meeting, are part of US policy makers’…

Primed and ready for FCC Auctions 101 and 102

The FCC is planning a 5G auction double header starting this fall with the 28 GHz auction (Auction 101) starting on November 14, followed by the 24 GHz auction (Auction 102). Following that, a 39 GHz Incentive Auction which will include both sellers and buyers of spectrum. Innovative Suite of Auction Consulting Services To assist you…

Canada Completes Residual Spectrum Auction

In July 2017, the Canadian spectrum regulator – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, or “ISED” – initiated an auction process to release “residual” licenses. The residual licenses consisted primarily of licenses unsold from previous auction processes. The auction was a single-round sealed-bid process with bids submitted on May 15, 2018, with provisional results released…

US Auctioning mmWave for 5G

As soon as the FCC’s “technical problem involving upfront payments by auction bidders” got fixed, it announced a plan to kick start two mmWave auctions, as part of the agenda for the April 17, 2018 Commission meeting. Notwithstanding that some parties – notably T Mobile – might have preferred that the FCC run one large process…