FCC's Spectrum Auction Starts May 31

May 31 is the first day in what will ultimately be another digital transition for broadcasters. At 10 am May 31, the Federal Communications Commission will begin its first-ever two-sided spectrum auction, with the first side (reverse auction) being broadcasters bidding to give up spectrum to be re-auctioned once the reverse auction is complete. The first day will consist of one six-hour round, followed by one four-hour round June 1. The auction then transitions to two rounds per day of two hours apiece at 10 am and 3 pm.

The FCC has set an initial clearing target of 126 MHz, which is actually 100 MHz of spectrum plus what is needed for guard bands between channels to prevent interference between broadcasters and the wireless companies bidding on the freed-up spectrum. If the FCC is able to clear that 126 MHz and get enough money in the forward portion of the auction to cover its payout to broadcasters, the auction is over. If not, it must move to its next lowest clearing target (114 MHz) and resume the reverse auction from where it ended, now needing less spectrum and less forward auction money.