FCC Incentive Auction Proposal 'Bold,' 'Welcome,' Pallone Says
House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., touted what he saw as congressional influence in the rules the FCC circulated for the broadcast TV incentive auction last week (see 1506250057). “This proposal is welcome news for our country’s small…
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businesses that deserve a fair shot at competing in today’s wireless marketplace,” Pallone said in a statement. “Earlier this week, Energy and Commerce Democrats sent a letter to Chairman [Tom] Wheeler asking the FCC to do just that, and it appears that our call for reform was heeded. This proposal addresses our recommendations and will help to put in place the smart policies needed to level the playing field and prevent large corporations from gaming the system.” He called the proposal “bold.” Wheeler also reassured Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, chairman of the Small Business Committee, concerning the lawmaker’s concerns about the use of the designated entity process in the AWS-3 auction bidding. “It is my expectation that any new rules that are adopted will both reflect the dynamics of the current spectrum marketplace, and fulfill our statutory obligation to ensure that small businesses, rural telephone companies and minority and women-owned businesses have the opportunity to compete in spectrum auctions,” Wheeler told Chabot in a June 17 letter the FCC released last week.