WASHINGTON, D.C. — Enhancing national security is one benefit. Dollar generation from a forthcoming spectrum auction is another plus. That’s why the FCC is moving forward with updating its competitive bidding rules to enable the upcoming auction of AWS-3 spectrum licenses.
The vote came Thursday at the FCC’s July Opening Meeting.
The AWS-3 auction, the first in several years for the Commission, is poised to benefit consumers and the U.S. economy by unlocking more of the invisible airwaves that connect communities.
The auction proceeds will fund the Commission’s ongoing efforts “to protect American networks from untrustworthy and insecure foreign equipment,” the Commission says.
Over the last 30 years, FCC spectrum auctions have been instrumental in making the United States a global pioneer in wireless, the Commission says.
In 2014, the Commission auctioned AWS-3 spectrum licenses for commercial use, but certain winning bidders defaulted soon after. As a result, approximately 200 licenses have remained unused in the FCC’s inventory for nearly a decade.
“With today’s decision, the Commission comes closer to putting those spectrum licenses to productive use,” it said.
In the weeks and months ahead, the Commission will announce auction application deadlines and bidding procedures.
Specifically, today’s order adopts updates to AWS-3 bidding credit rules in auctions to reflect legislative and regulatory developments since the spectrum was originally auctioned in 2014. These updates to bidding credit thresholds will allow small businesses and rural service providers to participate meaningfully in the auction, the FCC explained. The AWS-3 bands refer to spectrum between 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz.
Speaking from the dais, Chairman Carr said, “From my first day as Chairman, I made every effort to get more spectrum in the marketplace. At my very first open meeting as FCC Chairman, the initial item we considered was a proposal to kickstart the process for reauctioning a large number of licenses in the so-called AWS-3 bands. These are spectrum licenses that have been laying fallow for years.
“With today’s action, we move another step closer to that auction and getting these powerful bands into consumers’ hands, where they belong. We do so by establishing the eligibility requirements for participation in the auction. This item also creates a 15 percent bidding credit for qualifying rural service providers—an important step to closing the digital divide.”
For Gomez, a forthcoming Tribal Licensing Window is sought.
Action by the Commission July 24, 2025 by Report and Order and Second Report and Order (FCC 25-39). Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty approving. Commissioner Gomez approving in part and concurring in part. Chairman Carr, Commissioners Gomez and Trusty issuing separate statements.
