The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has formally notified the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce that it intends to auction licenses for certain Advanced Wireless Services — also called “3G” — as early as June 2006. In a letter to Michael D. Gallagher, assistant secretary for Communications and Information, FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell stated that the commission intends to commence an auction for advanced wireless services licenses in the 1710 MHz to 1755 MHz and 2110 MHz to 2155 MHz bands as early as June 2006. The 1710 MHz to1755 MHz band is currently occupied by federal government users that would be relocated pursuant to the recently enacted Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act. That Act requires the commission to notify NTIA at least 18 months in advance of beginning an auction of spectrum transferred from federal government to commercial use. It also requires NTIA to provide the commission the estimated costs and timelines for the relocation of federal entities from the bands at least six months prior to the auction.

Chairman Powell stated, “The spectrum relocation fund mechanism that Congress has established will result in successful auctions, smooth relocation of important government operations and, most important, competitive high-quality communications services being provided to American consumers.”