Rep Dingell Warns FCC Against Limiting Spectrum Auction Bidders

Add Rep John Dingell (D-MI) to the list of those advising the Federal Communications Commission not to limit the bidders for broadcast spectrum.

In a speech on Dec 11, Rep Dingell said that "the plain and simple fact of the matter is that more spectrum is needed to meet exploding consumer demand." In order to increase spectrum for mobile broadband, pay down debt, provide for the FirstNet interoperable first responder network, and have enough money to incentivize broadcasters to put up spectrum for auction and pay to relocate those that don't, the FCC needs all the bidders it can get, he suggested. "There’s a simple answer here: avoid restricting the number of potential bidders. Limiting the number of carriers allowed to bid on broadcaster airwaves will decrease auction revenues to the detriment of revenues and total new spectrum rolled out for wireless broadband."