Further Notice on FM Auction No. 68 and A Filing Freeze on FM Mods From Nov. 6, 2006 through Nov. 13, 2006
The FCC has released its further Public Notice regarding FM Auction No. 68, which consists of nine construction permits left over from two previous auctions. The auction is set to commence on January 10, 2006, but more importantly, and likely of more interest to most readers, is the fact that in order to give potential auction applicants a chance to submit a short-form application to participate in the auction and to specify particular coordinates, there will be an across-the-board freeze on the filing of minor modifications for FM stations. Specifically, from November 6 through November 13 the FCC will not accept FM commercial and non-commercial minor change applications. In addition, the FCC has instituted a freeze, effective immediately, on the filing of counterproposals in proceedings to amend the FM Table of Allotments where such counter proposals would change the channel, class, or coordinates of any of the nine allotments on the block in Auction No. 68. So FM stations should plan accordingly, and submit their minor modifications prior to November 6th. A copy of the Public Notice accouncing the freeze is available here.
With regard to the auction itself, the window for submitting an FCC Form 175 short form application to participate in the bidding runs from noon EST on November 6th until 6:00 PM EST on November 13th. Upfront payments must be submitted by 6:00 PM ET on December 11th, and the FCC will hold a mock auction on January 8, 2007, to permit bidders to familiarize themselves with the bidding process.
The auction itself will kick off on January 10, 2007. A list of the nine construction permits and the opening bids are included as Attachment A to the FCC's Auction Public Notice.