The FCC today said companies interested in participating in next year’s 600MHz incentive auction need to get their paperwork in order by early December.
The agency will accept applications between Dec. 1 and Dec 18.
“Today is a watershed moment,” said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. “For all practical purposes, we’ve fired the starting gun: the release of final opening bid prices — combined with the detailed application procedures and other data released yesterday — provides broadcasters with all of the information they need to decide whether to apply to participate in the auction.”
Wheeler said the FCC won’t accept late applications. The auction will see television stations sell their spectrum to the government, which will then be auctioned off to wireless broadband providers. The opening bids vary significantly by market.
The highest opening bid tops $900 million for WCBS-TV’s airwaves in New York City. The auction is expected to officially begin in March or April.
