The FCC’s Incentive Auction Clock Phase Is Over. What’s Next?

Feb 10 marks the end of all clock phase bidding in the incentive auction. This is a noteworthy event for winning bidders and an appropriate moment to appreciate the auction’s success in using market forces to allocate spectrum to its highest and best use. With $19.6 billion in forward auction clock phase gross winning bids, the incentive auction will generate the second highest total proceeds of any Commission spectrum license auction in its 20-plus year history.

The public stands to gain substantial economic benefits from mobile broadband utilizing the 84 megahertz of spectrum repurposed by this auction. In addition, the auction will provide more than $6 billion to the US Treasury for deficit reduction, more than $10 billion to broadcasters that chose to relinquish spectrum usage rights, and up to $1.75 billion for other broadcasters that incur costs in changing channels. And, for winning stations that will remain on the air through channel sharing or changing bands, auction proceeds will provide an infusion of capital for them to reinvest in programming and other activities. This is also a good time to lay out in greater detail what lies ahead in the coming months.