FCC Reforms License Renewal Rules for Wireless Spectrum

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The Federal Communications Commission took steps to streamline and harmonize its license renewal and service continuity rules to ensure that Wireless Radio Services (WRS) licensees have a consistent framework and use spectrum to benefit all Americans. The Report and Order provides a clear, harmonized set of rules, including:

  • Establishing a consistent standard for renewing wireless licenses;
  • Setting forth safe harbors providing expedited renewal for licensees that meet their initial term construction requirement and remain operating at or above that level;
  • Adopting consistent service continuity rules, which provide for automatic termination of any license on which a licensee permanently discontinues service or operation;
  • Eliminating unnecessary, legacy “comparative renewal rules”; and,
  • Requiring that when portions of geographic licenses are sold, both parties to the transaction have a clear construction obligation and penalty in the event of failure, closing a loophole used to avoid our construction requirements.

The FCC also adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks comment on a range of ideas to facilitate continued investment during the renewal terms


FCC Reforms License Renewal Rules for Wireless Spectrum