AWS-3 Transition
Advanced Wireless Services in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz Bands
On January 29, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) completed an auction of Advanced Wireless Service licenses in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands (collectively, the “AWS-3” bands). This auction, designated as Auction 97, raised in net bids a total of $41,329,673,325, with 31 bidders winning a total of 1,611 licenses. With the reallocation of the 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz bands, most of the federal systems will relocate out of the bands. A limited number of federal systems will remain indefinitely in the bands, sharing with non-federal users (see U. S. Table of Frequency Allocations, Footnotes US88 and US91).
The Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act (CSEA), as amended, governs the transition planning process through which eligible federal agencies recover their relocation or sharing costs from a portion of the proceeds from the AWS-3 auction, which were transferred to the Spectrum Relocation Fund. On May 13, 2014, as required by the CSEA, NTIA notified the FCC of the initial estimated relocation and sharing costs and timelines for the 1695-1710 MHz and the 1755-1780 MHz bands. These estimates were based on the transition plans submitted by the eligible federal entities and available at the following links:
- Transition Plans and Transition Data for the 1695 – 1710 MHz Band
- Transition Plans and Transition Data for the 1755 – 1780 MHz Band
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) determined the transfers were appropriate and that the resources protect key federal missions and capabilities while making additional spectrum available for commercial use, consistent with the President’s goals. On June 23, 2015, OMB notified Congress of the forthcoming transfer of $5,030,428,878 to federal agencies with systems affected by the AWS-3 transition. Following the conclusion of the 30-day statutory waiting period, OMB transferred the funds to the federal agencies.
In accordance with an FCC-NTIA Joint Public Notice – Coordination Procedures in the 1695–1710 MHz and 1755–1780 MHz Bands (GN Docket No. 13–185, DA 14–1023, released on July 18, 2014), the formal coordination process began on October 30, 2015.
Visit the FCC Auction 97 website for information from the FCC on the AWS-3 auction.
Related content
Letter from Assistant Secretary Strickling to FCC Chairman Genachowski on the planned auction of licenses in the 1695-1710 MHz Band and the 1755-1780 MHz Band
Enclosures:
CSMAC, "1695-1710 MHz Meterological-Satellite," Final Report of Working Group 1 (Feb. 22, 2013).
Report to the President: Identification of 15 MHz of Spectrum Between 1675 MHz and 1710 MHz for Reallocation
As directed by Congress in Section 6401(a)(3) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Tax Relief Act), NTIA submitted a report to the President identifying 15 megahertz of spectrum between 1675 MHz and 1710 MHz for reallocation from federal use to non-federal use.
Spectrum Relocation Final Rule on Technical Panel and Dispute Resolution Boards
NTIA adopts regulations governing the Technical Panel and dispute resolution process established by Congress to facilitate the relocation of, and spectrum sharing with, U.S. Government stations in spectrum bands reallocated from Federal use to non-Federal use or to shared use. This action is necessary to ensure the timely relocation of Federal entities' spectrum-related operations and, where applicable, the timely implementation of arrangements for the sharing of radio frequencies.