Spectrum Provisions in the Middle Class Tax Relief Act

When President Barack Obama signed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 into law on February 22, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gained authority to 1) hold voluntary incentive auctions and 2) allocate necessary spectrum for a nationwide interoperable broadband network for first responders. The new law also provides A) $7 billion for public safety broadband network build out, and B) up to $1.75 billion for relocation costs for broadcasters. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the spectrum auction will raise $15 billion over the next eleven years. Specifically, the bill would establish clearing and auction timelines for spectrum in 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz (the PCS H Block), 2155-2180 MHz (the AWS-3 block), 1755-1780 MHz, 15 MHz from the government spectrum at 1675-1710 MHz paired with 15 MHz to be determined by the FCC. The bill would also allow the President to substitute alternate spectrum for 1755-1780 MHz and would reallocate the 700 MHz D Block from commercial to public safety use.