FCC changes schedule for Auction 105 and postpones Auction 106

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced schedule changes for Auction 105 as well as the postponement of Auction 106 – in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“But we remain committed to holding the 3.5 GHz auction this summer and look forward to beginning this important mid-band auction in July,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement on Wednesday.

For Auction 105, involving the auction of Priority Access Licenses for the 3550-3650 MHz band, the short-form application (FCC Form 175) filing window will now open on April 23, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT and will close on May 7 at 6 p.m. EDT.  Upfront payments will be due June 19.  Bidding will begin on July 23.

The FCC is postponing indefinitely Auction 106, an auction of construction permits in the FM broadcast service that was scheduled to begin on April 28. Auction 106 applicants that submitted upfront payments may obtain a refund of those deposits after submitting a written request. FCC will announce a revised schedule.