Like Stage 2 before it, Stage 3 of the Federal Communications Commission’s (Commission) 600 MHz Forward Auction has concluded after just one round. Stage 3 of the reverse auction concluded on December 1, 2016 after the 52nd round with a clearing cost of $40.3 billion.
The Commission posted an announcement today including the following text:
Bidding in the forward auction has concluded for Stage 3 without meeting the final stage rule and without meeting the conditions to trigger an extended round. The incentive auction will continue with Stage 4 at a lower clearing target.
The FCC expects to release a public notice this Friday, December 9, announcing details about the next stage, including the clearing target for Stage 4, and the time and date when bidding in Stage 4 of the reverse auction will begin. We anticipate that bidding in Stage 4 of the reverse auction will begin Tuesday, December 13, 2016.
