FCC sees light at the end of the tunnel in airwaves auction

David McCabe

The FCC says it will be able to transfer wireless spectrum from television broadcasters to wireless carriers in a first-of-its-kind auction that started last spring.

One the one hand: This is a victory for supporters of an untested model where the FCC buys spectrum from broadcasters and sells it to wireless providers trying to meet demand from smartphone users.

On the other: The auction will ultimately transfer 70 MHz of licensed spectrum, below the initial target set by the FCC.

What's next: Wednesday's announcement means the auction will conclude successfully. But wireless carriers can continue to bid until there is no more demand. Then comes a lengthy process to implement the auction's results.

Dec 15, 2017 -

What's next

Axios, Alayna Treene, Orion Rummler

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Putin foe Bill Browder was warned of potential danger in Davos

Photo: Julia Reinhart/Getty Images

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Chinese cities cancel Lunar New Year events amid Wuhan coronavirus outbreak

People in Guangzhou, China, wearing masks on public transportation. Photo: Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

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