FCC's Wheeler Sees “Spectrum Extravaganza” As TV Auction Deadline Approaches: CES

Every city will soon see a transfer of airwave spectrum from broadcast TV to wireless Internet providers, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler said at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show consumer electronics confab — 84 days before a long-awaited auction takes place. Broadcasters have until Jan 12 to say whether they’ll offer some of their local air rights for the auction. As an incentive, the FCC has offered to share some of the proceeds from the sale.

“You’ll see a spectrum extravaganza,” Chairman Wheeler said of the plan. “That is going to be transformational.” He calls the broadcast airwaves “beachfront spectrum” due to its ability to reach big audiences, and penetrate walls. “This is opportunity, opportunity, opportunity.” He added that “this is not bureaucrats sitting around divvying things up. This is the marketplace.”