FCC: Report & Order On Incentive Auctions by Spring

Federal Communications Commission incentive auction staffers outlined a timeline for action on a host of FCC incentive auction issues, but did not signal how they may be resolved.

In a presentation to the commissioners, the FCC's Incentive Auction Task Force said that by early 2015 the commission would be accepting bids from TV stations for the reverse auction and wireless companies -- and perhaps others -- for the forward auction. The task force said the report and order (R&O) would provide a framework for dealing with issues including a band plan and TV station repacking but that there would be opportunity for comment and further tweaking, something FCC Chairman Wheeler emphasized in a post-meeting press conference. Among the other issues to be at least addressed in the report and order are unlicensed operations, bid payments, reimbursement of broadcaster costs and licensing and operating rules. The FCC also said it would increase funding for broadcaster outreach.