On July 11, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) released the Public Notice announcing application and bidding procedures for the upcoming Auction 103 of Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (“UMFUS”) licenses in the 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz bands.  The Public Notice establishes an incentive auction mechanism to provide incentive payments to existing 39 GHz licenses in return for their spectrum rights to be auctioned, and adopts bidding procedures for the clock and assignment phases. The Commission will auction up to 3,400 megahertz in the three bands – 2,400 megahertz in the Upper 37 GHz and 39 GHz bands (depending on the decisions of the 39 GHz incumbents in the reconfiguration process), and 1,000 megahertz in the 47 GHz band-for flexible use. The Commission will offer 100 megahertz blocks of spectrum to be licensed by Partial Economic Area (“PEA”) service area.  These UMFUS licenses, along with the 28 GHz and 24 GHz band licenses, are considered to be a key component to fifth generation (“5G”) wireless networks.

Bidding in Auction 103 is scheduled to begin on December 10, 2019. The chart below lists all of the relevant dates and deadlines announced in the Public Notice. If you have any questions, or would like assistance with this process, please contact Dee Herman ([email protected]), Greg Whiteaker ([email protected]), or Molly O’Conor ([email protected]).