The FCC has released a Public Notice containing important information for incumbent 39 GHz licensees as they prepare for making their Initial Commitments prior to the commencement of Auction 103, which is scheduled to begin on December 10, 2019. In May 2019, the FCC formally adopted rules governing the reconfiguration process and the mechanics of Auction 103, which will make available to the public hundreds of megahertz of spectrum in the 37, 39, and 47 GHz Bands. The Commission’s rules require 39 GHz incumbents, prior to the start of Auction 103, to elect one of three “Initial Commitments”. Those three options are as follows: (1) accept modified licenses based on the FCC’s proposed reconfigured holdings announced in Attachment 1; (2) accept modified licenses based on an acceptable alternative reconfiguration submitted by the incumbent that is consistent with Commission requirements; or (3) relinquish spectrum usage rights under all its 39 GHz licenses in exchange for an incentive payment and eligibility to bid on new licenses. The Public Notice contains detailed information on these three options, as well as a timeline for reconfiguration of the 39 GHz Band prior to the start of Auction 103. Specifically, the following timeline has been announced:
- Incumbent 39 GHz Short-Form Application (FCC Form 175-A) Instructions and Tutorial (via Internet): Wednesday, June 12, 2019
- FCC Form 175-A Filing Window Opens: Tuesday, July 9, 2019
- FCC Form 175-A Filing Window Closes (Deadline): Monday, July 15, 2019 at 6:00 pm EDT
- Initial Commitment System User Guide and Tutorial (via Internet): Thursday, July 11, 2019
- Secure Tokens for Accessing the Initial Commitment System: Tuesday, August 6, 2019 (Sent By)
- Initial Commitment Filing Window Opens: Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 12:00 pm (Noon) EDT
- Initial Commitment Filing Window Closes (Deadline): Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 6:00 pm EDT
- Public Notice Announcing Spectrum Blocks Available in Auction 103: Friday, August 23, 2019
