Former FCC Chairman Genachowski: Spectrum Auction Is Success From Various Vantages

Reaction began pouring in after the Federal Communications Commission's incentive auction met its two benchmarks Jan 18, meaning it will close after bidding dries up in stage four. Former FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, under whose watch the spectrum auction was drawn up, agreed with current Chairman Tom Wheeler that the auction had been a success, and despite some naysaying at the outset.

"Today it's clear the auction will be a success," he said. "Of course when we originally proposed the idea many said it was crazy and would never happen. The auction will recover an unprecedented amount of spectrum for the mobile ecosystem, both licensed and unlicensed spectrum, and it gave broadcasters an opportunity for a market-based monetization that wouldn't have otherwise been available. It's the first wireless auction of its kind in the world, and important that it happened in the United States. The challenge now for the FCC and new administration is how to keep pushing the envelope on spectrum policy and ensure the US maintains its global leadership."