The FCC has adopted a Fourth Report and Order with new 5G spectrum auction rules for high-band millimeter wave spectrum in the Upper 37 GHz and 39 GHz bands (2,400 megahertz) and the 47 GHz band (1,000 megahertz). Among other things, the order (1) modifies the bands to 100 megahertz blocks to be licensed by Partial Economic Area and allow for “simultaneous auction” of licenses in all three bands; (2) establishes an incentive auction framework; and (3) sets up a pre-auction process allowing incumbent licensees to “rationalize” their holdings. Incumbents would be provided with credit “vouchers” equivalent to their existing holdings to be applied to their auction bids.
