The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the successful conclusion of bidding in its auction of Priority Access Licenses in the 3550-3650 MHz band for 5G Applications. The auction, which was designated as Auction 105, made available the greatest number of spectrum licenses ever in a single FCC auction. This 70 MHz of licensed spectrum will further the deployment of 5G, as well as the Internet of Things and other advanced spectrum-based services.
According to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the auction was a resounding success. The strong demand for licenses was the direct result of FCC’s reforms to the rules for the 3.5 GHz band - reforms that would not have been possible without the leadership and hard work of Commissioner Mike O’Rielly. The auction has been a key part of FCC’s 5G FAST Plan and their ongoing push to make more mid-band spectrum available for 5G. Mr. Pai is now looking forward to the Commission making available 280 more MHz of mid-band spectrum for 5G in the C-band auction beginning December 8.
Bidding in the auction of 70 MHz of Priority Access Licenses (PALs) in the 3550-3650 MHz band (Auction 105) concluded today following round 76. Gross proceeds reached $4,585,663,345, and bidders won 20,625 of 22,631, or more than 91.1%, of available licenses. The FCC will release a public notice in a few days providing detailed auction results, including the names of Auction 105 winning bidders, and announcing deadlines for payments and the filing of long-form applications, as well as other post-auction procedures needed for the prompt issuance of licenses. That information, as well as other information about Auction 105, can be found here.
