The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) late Wednesday approved a preliminary broad outline for the final rules and regulations of the auction.

The FCC is also seeking further public input on a number of proposals for the use of the spectrum, including setting aside certain portions of the airwaves for open access and a nationwide public safety wireless network. No decisions were made on how many licenses will be available at the auction or the spectrum size of the licenses.

To encourage a diverse range of bidders for the auction expected to bring $10 to $15 billion to the U.S. Treasury, the FCC adopted a mix of geographic area sizes for licensing the spectrum and established rules related to power limits.

Both Congress and the FCC have said the auction is important to help establish a third broadband pipe into U.S. homes as a competitor to cable and telephone companies, which now control more than 95 percent of the American broadband market.

Posted: 04|27|07 at 7:23 pm. Filed under: US News.