­The USA's telecoms regulator, the FCC says that it is to take a fresh look at its mobile spectrum holding policies given the changes in technology, spectrum availability, and the mobile marketplace since the last review of these rules more than a decade ago.

The FCC said that in recent years, wireless providers, as well as trade associations and public interest groups, have requested that the FCC review its current policies regarding mobile spectrum holdings to keep pace with market changes.

With this review, the FCC added that it is seeking comment on ensuring that its policies provide the certainty and predictability needed to make informed investment decisions, including participation in upcoming incentive auctions and secondary market transactions, while also promoting the competition needed to sustain a healthy wireless marketplace.

In related news, the FCC has approved plans to use an "incentive auction process", making the United States the first nation in the world to implement this major policy innovation, which aims to repurpose broadcast television spectrum for mobile broadband use. 

These auctions are a market-based tool to repurpose broadcast television spectrum for mobile broadband by offering unique financial opportunities to broadcasters, including a portion of the auction proceeds for participants.