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I've always been curious about the mechanics of the FCC frequency spectrum auctions. I know you can view the results on the FCC site below but I'm not sure how

by erikig 8y ago

I've always been curious about the mechanics of the FCC frequency spectrum auctions. I know you can view the results on the FCC site below but I'm not sure how to bid and view ongoing auctions: https://www.fcc.gov/round-results-auctions-held-july-2005-present https://www.fcc.gov/round-results-auctions-held-july-2005-pr... Anyone care to shed some light?

akira2501 8y ago
> Anyone care to shed some light? I'm honestly not trying to be flip, but as far as I've figured out the process goes 1) Find a Law firm on K street that specializes in this. 2) Pay them.
- rayiner 8y ago
  The K street law firm would pull up the FCC’s application instructions: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-109A1.pdf https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-109A1.pdf. Yes, it’s complex. But you’re talking about auctioning an important public resource for a highly complex purpose. It’s like a permit for drilling for oil on government land. But the process is transparent.
  - erikig 8y ago
    It seems Beyerle (our university IT guy) was able to acquire a local license for a seemingly fair $12k after getting a discount from the FCC no less. "About 20 years ago, Beyerle was the winning bidder for one of 14 licenses in a high frequency band for his local area, paying just under $12,000 (after getting a 35% discount that the Federal Communications offered to smaller bidders)."
late2part 8y ago
I'm not familiar w/ the FCC process but I was involved in acquiring frequency in a non-US country w/ a non-US company. The process is elaborate game theory. The rules are simple, e.g.: 3 Rounds, must bid twice, can't collude; 5 spectrums up for bid, 4 bidders; can win 2 only, on success must pay and hit milestones A, B, C by date X, Y, Z. Often the system is passively rigged - no actual collusion but everyone knows through deductive reasoning what the others will do; and it goes down as expected.

by erikig 8y ago

akira2501 8y ago

> Anyone care to shed some light? I'm honestly not trying to be flip, but as far as I've figured out the process goes 1) Find a Law firm on K street that specializes in this. 2) Pay them.

rayiner 8y ago
The K street law firm would pull up the FCC’s application instructions: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-109A1.pdf https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-109A1.pdf. Yes, it’s complex. But you’re talking about auctioning an important public resource for a highly complex purpose. It’s like a permit for drilling for oil on government land. But the process is transparent.
- erikig 8y ago
  It seems Beyerle (our university IT guy) was able to acquire a local license for a seemingly fair $12k after getting a discount from the FCC no less. "About 20 years ago, Beyerle was the winning bidder for one of 14 licenses in a high frequency band for his local area, paying just under $12,000 (after getting a 35% discount that the Federal Communications offered to smaller bidders)."

late2part 8y ago

I'm not familiar w/ the FCC process but I was involved in acquiring frequency in a non-US country w/ a non-US company. The process is elaborate game theory. The rules are simple, e.g.: 3 Rounds, must bid twice, can't collude; 5 spectrums up for bid, 4 bidders; can win 2 only, on success must pay and hit milestones A, B, C by date X, Y, Z. Often the system is passively rigged - no actual collusion but everyone knows through deductive reasoning what the others will do; and it goes down as expected.