FCC’S Next 5G Spectrum Auction Is Underway

The FCC began its next 5G spectrum auction Tuesday. Bidding began on licenses in the upper 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz bands. The FCC is making 3,400 MHz of millimeter-wave spectrum available through Auction 103. 

“These airwaves will be critical in deploying 5G services and applications,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. Combined, the 39 GHz and upper 37 GHz bands represent the largest amount of contiguous spectrum available in the millimeter-wave bands.

The agency is setting up the upper 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz auction to be the FCC’s second-ever incentive auction. This one will be different from the broadcast incentive auction but it’ll have the same goal: clearing or repacking existing licensees to make spectrum as useful as possible.

Earlier this year, the Commission concluded its first high-band 5G auctions of the 28 GHz and 24 GHz bands. Next year, it plans to hold two mid-band spectrum auctions—the 3.5 GHz auction on June 25, 2020, and an auction in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band in the latter part of next year.