Weekend Open Thread

A new rulemaking process aims to free up more wireless spectrum from broadcast TV providers. The target date for the complicated auction, which has three distinct parts, is June 2014.

The complicated process, which is the first of its kind, will have three components. First there is the reverse auction, in which TV broadcasters will voluntarily sell their spectrum back to the government. Then there's a "repacking" or re-allocation of remaining television spectrum designed to free up large enough blocks for use by wireless operators. Finally, the plan calls for a forward auction in which the wireless broadband providers would bid on available bandwidth.

Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, applauded the FCC's action.

But some in the industry wonder how the FCC can pull off this daunting task. Earlier in the week, Steve Berry -- head of the Competitive Carrier Association, which represents the non-Verizon, non-AT&T carriers -- said he doubted the FCC could meet its 2014 target date.

"If they hold both the reverse auction and the forward auction at the same time, I'm just not sure how it can be done," he said. "I'm not sure who will be able to bid on spectrum without knowing how much they will get and whether or not the spectrum is contiguous."

The next step in the process is that both of these items will be opened to the public for comment. And at the end of the comment period, the FCC will evaluate the information and draft a formal proposal that will be voted on by the commission.