FCC’s Clyburn Gets 'Dingelgram' With Auction concerns

Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) is continuing to press his concern over reallocation of broadcast spectrum following the incentive auctions, this time sending one of his famed "Dingelgrams" seeking some answers from Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn.

In a letter dated June 4, Rep Dingell seeks answers to three questions about the FCC's authority to take certain auction-related actions, suggesting it may be exceeding its authority under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, legislation that included authorizing the voluntary incentive auction of broadcast spectrum. "Does the commission believe it must complete international coordination with Mexico and Canada prior to reallocating and reassigning broadcast frequencies"; 2. "Does the commission believe [incentive auction legislation] grants it authority to revise its Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin No. 69, a model used to predict broadcast interference." 3. "Does the commission believe [the legislation] permits it to conduct a weighted reverse auction?"; "What effect does the Commission estimate that a weighted reverse auction would have on the number of participants and the amount of spectrum recovered..."

Rep. Dingell, chairman emeritus of the House Commerce Committee, has given Chairwoman Clyburn until June 28 to respond.