Relicensing 700 MHZ Spectrum In Unserved Areas

For certain spectrum blocks in the 700 MHz band, licensees that fail to meet the Federal Communications Commission’s construction benchmarks keep the areas of the license that they serve, and the remaining unserved areas are returned to the Commission’s inventory for relicensing. This approach provides other parties with opportunities to acquire spectrum that is not adequately built out and to serve communities that might otherwise not receive service. This Public Notice describes the process for relicensing unserved areas, beginning with the “keep-what-you-serve” (KWYS) rules applicable to failing licensees, and ending with the specific rules and requirements for licensees that acquire unserved areas through the relicensing process, including through auction where necessary.