Backing Auctions Calendar, Rosenworcel Cites 5G
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel again backed scheduling a new spectrum auction. "Other nations are speeding ahead with plans for auctioning airwaves for the next generation of wireless services," she said in her statement on other auction items at Tuesday's commissioners'…
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meeting (see 1801300039). "All we have now is a blitz of bands being discussed in regulatory proceedings. If we want to lead in 5G we need to take action -- and not the misguided effort to nationalize networks recently leaked to the press -- but real action." Chairman Ajit Pai and aides say the FCC can't hold a spectrum auction because it can't deposit upfront payments into a bank due to certain legal restrictions, urging congressional fix. Asked about that hurdle later, Rosenworcel told reporters the FCC was able to hold the 600 MHz incentive auction last year despite the complications. The agency "found a way" then and should find a way now, she said. It's "imperative" the regulator move ahead and the excuses for not doing so are "ridiculous," she said. A Pai spokeswoman said: "As we’ve previously indicated, the Federal Reserve Bank that agreed to hold the upfront payments for the incentive auction has made clear to us that was a one-time arrangement, and it will not do so again."