An investigation by the FCC of possible interference in the D block section of the 700MHz auction recently put on by the FCC, has cleared advisors of public safety groups. The investigation launched amid a possibility that advisors to the public safety groups had potentially discouraged bidders from meeting the reserve price of $1.3 billion set by the FCC. The highest, and only bid made on the D block spectrum was by Qualcomm, for $472 million.

“Rather, the many layers of uncertainty and risk, and the growing prospect of high network costs… were responsible for potential bidders’ decisions not to bid” FCC Inspector General Kent Nilsson

The FCC will not allow the spectrum to go to waste, however. They are evaluating a plan to hold another auction for the D block spectrum. If another auction were to be held, it would most likely have a lower reserve price than what it was originally. There is no date set for another auction.

The D block spectrum was supposed to be a public safety network, with dual uses. A operator was free to use the spectrum as they pleased, but if there was an emergency, they had to surrender their priority to the  emergency workers and services. Public Safety Spectrum Trust, was set to be the entity that was supposed to negotiate these terms with the winner of the D block spectrum.