The FCC’s Incentive Auction Task Force and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau have released information regarding the assignment phase of the forward auction portion (Auction 1002) of the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction. There will be one practice auction opportunity and one mock auction for Auction 1002’s assignment phase for all winning bidders in the forward auction. The practice and mock auctions will allow qualified bidders to become familiar with the Assignment Phase Auction System and to ask Commission auction and technical support staff questions about the system and auction conduct.
Bidders eligible to participate in the assignment phase will be able to log in to the assignment phase bidding system between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, to download their assignment phase bidding options (which correspond to their clock phase winnings), view the sequence and timing for the assignment rounds for all markets, and identify the assignment rounds in which they will be eligible to participate. Beginning the next day, Wednesday, February 22, 2017, the Commission will provide one practice auction opportunity, and beginning on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, the Commission will conduct one mock auction for the assignment phase of Auction 1002. The first round of forward auction assignment phase bidding will begin on Monday, March 6, 2017, and all assignment rounds are scheduled to conclude by Thursday, March 30, 2017.
