CEA, CTIA, TIA Seek Delay in Filing Deadlines for Key Incentive Auction Notice

CEA, CTIA and the Telecommunications Industry Association asked the FCC to delay comment deadlines on the TV incentive auction procedures public notice for 30 days. Comments are currently due Jan. 30, replies Feb. 27. The FCC approved the PN on a 3-2 vote at the December open meeting (see 1412110065). Interested parties need time to “examine the novel issues raised by this auction and to develop a meaningful record in this proceeding,” the groups said. The AWS-3 auction is still in progress and several likely incentive auction bidders also are bidding in that auction, they said. “Key personnel for these companies are currently sequestered and may be unavailable to assist with comments and/or reply comments until bidding is complete.” Even after the auction is complete, there's a prohibition of certain communications between bidders for another 10 days, the groups reminded the FCC. “The requested extension will permit individual Auction 97 bidders to fully dedicate the resources of their auction experts to comments filed in this proceeding, and it will also permit industry associations such as Petitioners to engage in greater discussion with their member companies regarding comments and reply comments.” The Expanding Opportunities for Broadcasters Coalition filed in support of the delay. "This request is in the public interest and will provide interested parties an adequate opportunity to analyze the highly technical proposals in the Comment PN and address, in a meaningful manner, the important questions regarding the implementation of this complex and novel auction," the group said.