FCC: Stage 4 of Reverse Auction to End Jan. 13

The Federal Communications Commission is again increasing the pace of bidding in the reverse portion of the incentive spectrum auction, with a target end date of Friday, Jan 13. So far, broadcasters have not had much luck getting wireless providers and other forward auction bidders, which includes Comcast, to collectively pay their clearing price. The reverse portion is now in its fourth round, with wireless companies not coming close to the first three price points.

Currently, there are three rounds of bidding per day, an hour per round. Starting Jan 10, the FCC will increase that to four one-hour rounds per day. At that rate, the FCC's base clock will have reached zero on Jan. 13, round 52. It could take an additional two rounds depending on whether the final bidding status of any VHF station was not settled by then. If so, the FCC will add a couple more rounds on that day to make sure it wraps up Jan. 13.