Posted: September 28, 2012
The Federal Communications Commission today voted to officially launch the incentive auction process, making the United States the first nation in the world to implement this major policy innovation, which aims to repurpose broadcast television spectrum for mobile broadband use. The concept was first introduced in the National Broadband Plan as part of the Commission’s multi-pronged strategy to meet skyrocketing demand for mobile Internet in the United States, and became the foundation for legislation that was signed into law in February 2012. As mobile device adoption continues to grow around the world, this incentive auction will be a model for many countries facing similar spectrum challenges.