• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

FCC Auction Authority expired?

R

Red Plume

I noticed that FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel issued a statement on this morning's expiration of the agency’s spectrum auction authority after it was not extended by Congress for the first time ever.

Am I reading this correct that future FM (and AM) and TV auctions have had the "pause" button pushed?

I haven't found much info on this online, which makes me question my interpretation of this.

Here's the statement [PDF Format]: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-391576A1.pdf
 
Red Plume said:
I noticed that FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel issued a statement on this morning's expiration of the agency’s spectrum auction authority after it was not extended by Congress for the first time ever.

Am I reading this correct that future FM (and AM) and TV auctions have had the "pause" button pushed?

I haven't found much info on this online, which makes me question my interpretation of this.

Here's the statement [PDF Format]: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-391576A1.pdf
Click to expand...
Considering Congress can't seem to get anything done of late, this doesn't surprise me. This press release is just a way of the Commission (who's solely funded by Congress) of nudging congressional staffers to get off the dime and remind their bosses that money is being potentially left on the table.
 
Kelly A said:
This press release is just a way of the Commission (who's solely funded by Congress) of nudging congressional staffers to get off the dime and remind their bosses that money is being potentially left on the table.
Click to expand...

I hope that's what it is, a gentle (yet assertive) nudge. I'd hate to see future auctions indefinitely suspended.
 
Red Plume said:
I hope that's what it is, a gentle (yet assertive) nudge. I'd hate to see future auctions indefinitely suspended.
Click to expand...
Why is that? Over the years The Commission has changed from a regulatory agency, steward of the airwaves, to lawyers auctioning off big chunks of finite radio spectrum, to cell/PCS carriers to please their masters; Congress. When it comes to FM broadcast radio spectrum, some allocations in markets are literally going to the side with zero bids. Either that, or bids for remaining spectrum are being bid at levels lower than the Commission pays for administration costs.
 
Several years ago Congress decided the FCC should be self-funding. That's why filing and renewal fees have gone up so much so fast. The auction of bandwidth became the way for the FCC to generate funds.
 
Kelly A said:
Why is that? Over the years The Commission has changed from a regulatory agency, steward of the airwaves, to lawyers auctioning off big chunks of finite radio spectrum, to cell/PCS carriers to please their masters; Congress.
Click to expand...

Ahh, good perspective. Taking a step back and looking at the broader picture, it's not the auctions I'd miss. I would miss the mechanism that allows for new commercial broadcast facilities. Right now, that's the auction.
 
bigdonho said:
Several years ago Congress decided the FCC should be self-funding. That's why filing and renewal fees have gone up so much so fast. The auction of bandwidth became the way for the FCC to generate funds.
Click to expand...
As well as issuing fines to owners of apartments/houses/businesses they find to have pirates operating from their address.
 
radiofan2023 said:
As well as issuing fines to owners of apartments/houses/businesses they find to have pirates operating from their address.
Click to expand...
I'd be interest in knowing if they have collected even a lone dollar of those fines. I think it is a threat, not an actual practice.
 
radiofan2023 said:
If they can’t run auctions currently, then they may start trying to collect the fines.
Click to expand...
Problem is, that takes resources. Several years ago the Commission closed most of their field offices and either laid off, or early-retired field officers who used to do inspections. Without staff to do inspections or investigate complaints, there's little chance of making up for auction revenue through fines.
 
Kelly A said:
Problem is, that takes resources. Several years ago the Commission closed most of their field offices and either laid off, or early-retired field officers who used to do inspections. Without staff to do inspections or investigate complaints, there's little chance of making up for auction revenue through fines.
Click to expand...
Thanks for explaining that, did Congress cut their budget or something?
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom