The US came first with the 800 MHz auction, and now it's leading the way in calling for the use of another innovative technique. Incentive auctions allow TV stations to share some of the proceeds from the sale of relinquished spectrum and was high on the agenda at a recent FCC workshop. The regulator believes it could recover 120 MHz from broadcasters.

This is significant: the FCC is effectively saying the market should have a much bigger role in determining the national balance of TV platforms, something which other countries regard as so crucial to democracy and culture that it should be set by government.

If the FCC's plan goes ahead this is sure to be influential in those countries which have resisted a more market-orientated approach to broadcasting spectrum.

There is also a wider question of whether the economic, social and cultural goals of spectrum policy can be achieved more successfully through new types of auctions. This will be one of the theoretical issues examined at the PolicyTracker Spectrum Auctions Masterclass, on 10-14 January 2011, along with hands on experience of running and participating in auctions

Also in this month's PolicyTracker is an interview with the new Director of the ITU Radiocommunications Bureau, François Rancy.  Please take a trial of the only newsletter devoted to spectrum management by clicking on the links below or downloading the PDF of our printed edition.

regards

Martin Sims, Managing Editor, PolicyTracker

What's new this month?

Incentive auctions

Incentive auctions will tackle spectrum crunch say FCC — by Dugie Standeford

High Tech Spectrum Coalition pushes for incentive auctions — by Dugie Standeford

Other auctions news

Clearwire said to be selling chunk of 4G spectrum for $5 billion — by Michael Newlands

Danes cancel auction and award licences to Hi3G — by Michael Newlands

Ofcom leans towards 2.6 GHz band for Games use before commercial release — by Michael Newlands

ITU elections

François Rancy: Radiocommunication Bureau should not be seen as a miracle worker — by Scott Billquist

ITU elects leaders for next four years — by Scott Billquist, Geneva correspondent

Digital dividend

Irish regulator wants joint 800/900 MHz auction in early 2011 — by Michael Newlands

Australia consults on digital dividend — by Michael Newlands

New research confirms cable industry's LTE interference fears — by Dugie Standeford 

Latin America gears up to address the digital dividend — by Michael Newlands

Other articles

Ofcom to cut budget by 28 per cent — by Jonathan Watson

IMT in extended C-band still a question mark following WRC-07 decision — by Scott Billquist

IMT-Advanced 4G specs on track for approval — by Scott Billquist, Geneva correspondent