FCC Chairman Wheeler to Hill: Broadcasters Will Get Auction Pricing Info

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler has told Congress, as FCC staffers told a public hearing audience, that he is committed to providing broadcasters more information about the timeline for the incentive auction, as well as potential opening bid amounts.

That is according to written testimony for Wheeler's solo appearance before the House Communications Subcommittee May 20. Broadcasters have said they need to know how much the government is offering before they know whether they want to enter spectrum in the auction.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel has also said that is threshold information, and that not providing it could jeopardize the success of the auction. Chairman Wheeler also says the FCC should take a page from Google fiber about easing the spread of broadband.

"Google has developed a checklist for cities that want to participate in their Google Fiber project of steps that can be taken to ensure easier access to existing infrastructure and to make construction speedier and more predictable," Chairman Wheeler says. "The FCC should be asking similar questions about our own rules, cutting red tape wherever possible."