The FCC has released a Public Notice that adopts procedures to “reconfigure and modify existing 39 GHz licenses in preparation for Auction 103, an incentive auction that will offer new flexible use licenses in the Upper 37 GHz (37.6 – 38.6 GHz), 39 GHz (38.6 – 40 GHz), and 47 GHz (47.2 – 48.2 GHz) bands.” Specifically, the Commission intends to reconfigure existing 39 GHz licenses to match the new 39 GHz band plan using 100 megahertz license blocks, with each Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (UMFUS) license covering a Partial Economic Area (PEA). UMFUS licenses will now be used in the 24, 28, 37, 39 and 47 GHz Bands. In the near future, the Commission will release a public notice showing the current holdings in each PEA that will determine the 100 megahertz license(s) that each incumbent would receive if it chooses to accept modified licenses based on the reconfigured band. However, the specific license(s) each incumbent might retain in the 39 GHz Band depends on the results of the assignment phase portion of Auction 103. In April 2019, the Commission adopted another public notice which sought comment on the proposed application and bidding procedures for UMFUS licenses in the 37, 39 and 47 GHz Bands.
