Pai, Rosenworcel Clash Over 5G Auction Rules
Commissioners approved bidding procedures for the third high-band auction this year and the largest FCC auction in history based on megahertz to be sold. Discussion during Wednesday's meeting sparked confrontation between Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who partially dissented, and Chairman Ajit Pai. The auction starts Dec. 10.
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Rosenworcel says the U.S. is falling behind on 5G. Sixteen countries have auctioned mid-band spectrum for the new generation of wireless, not the U.S., she said. “We have yet to auction a single swath of mid-band spectrum. We have brought exactly zero megahertz of mid-band airwaves to auction.”
Stop selling high-band spectrum and focus on the mid-band, Rosenworcel said. “If we continue on this path, prioritizing high-band airwaves, we are going to have a serious problem,” she said. “We will find ourselves on the sidelines as mid-band spectrum becomes the core of worldwide 5G service. This means less scale, higher costs, interoperability challenges, and less security as other nations’ technologies proliferate.” The challenge is especially severe in rural areas, which can’t rely on high-band spectrum, she said.
Pai responded to Rosenworcel without mentioning her. It’s “ironic and amusing that some continue to claim that we’re doing too little to free up mid-band spectrum, but then oppose every single initiative we’ve undertaken to do just that,” he said. “You can’t demand action on mid-band spectrum and then oppose rules that make it possible to deploy 5G” in the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service band, he said.
One can’t demand action “and then take the position that we must wait for Congress to act before we move forward on the C band,” Pai said. He cited opposition to the 2.5 GHz auction (see 1907100054). “You can do all of these things, but then the inescapable inference is that your real commitment is to political gamesmanship, not actual progress on mid-band spectrum,” he said. Rosenworcel declined to respond.
The proposed procedures haven’t been controversial. Neither Commissioners Brendan Carr or Geoffrey Starks made a statement. “The Public Notice approved by the FCC today provides details regarding the procedures, terms, conditions, dates, and deadlines governing participation in Auction 103, as well as an overview of the post-auction application and payment processes,” said a news release.
Rosenworcel said she supports the rules but partially dissented because she thinks a mid-band auction should come first.
“Having talked about the 37/39 GHz bands for over four and a half years and 47 GHz for three years, count me among those that are excited to get this auction up and running as soon as possible,” said Commissioner Mike O’Rielly.
“The FCC continues to demonstrate its commitment to our nation’s 5G future by setting the stage for what will be a historic auction,” said Joan Marsh, AT&T executive vice president-regulatory and state external affairs: The bands are “critical for successfully rolling out 5G to American consumers.”
“Combined with the additional mid-band spectrum the FCC is reviewing, this action will help meet the growing demands of today’s wireless users and ensure the U.S. continues to lead in 5G,” said Scott Bergmann, CTIA senior vice president-regulatory affairs.