FCC to reveal spectrum auction plan

The
Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday is expected to begin setting
rules for one of the most important wireless spectrum auctions in the
foreseeable future.

The
new rules, which determine how to divvy up licenses and actually auction them
off for the coveted 700MHz wireless band of spectrum, will likely shape the
competitive communications market for decades to come, experts say.

The 700MHz band of
spectrum, which has been used to provide analog TV service, is considered the
last piece of prime real estate left in wireless spectrum. And mobile
operators, as well as companies in other industries such as cable and satellite
TV, are expected to bid on licenses. The auction is likely to generate between
$10 billion and $15 billion in revenue for the government.

Full Story in the New York Times.