---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 U.S.C. § 1451"
title: "47"
title_heading: "Telecommunications"
number: "1451"
heading: "Deadlines for auction of certain spectrum"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/47/1451"
units:
  - "Chapter 13 — Public Safety Communications and Electromagnetic Spectrum Auctions"
  - "Subchapter IV — Spectrum Auction Authority"
---

# §1451. Deadlines for auction of certain spectrum

- (a) **Clearing certain Federal spectrum—**
  - (1) **In general—** The President shall—
    - (A) not later than 3 years after February 22, 2012, begin the process of withdrawing or modifying the assignment to a Federal Government station of the electromagnetic spectrum described in [paragraph (2)](#a-2); and
    - (B) not later than 30 days after completing the withdrawal or modification, notify the [Commission](/usc/47/1401.md?p=11) that the withdrawal or modification is complete.
  - (2) **Spectrum described—** The electromagnetic spectrum described in this paragraph is the 15 megahertz of spectrum between 1675 megahertz and 1710 megahertz identified under [paragraph (3)](#a-3).
  - (3) **Identification by Secretary of Commerce—** Not later than 1 year after February 22, 2012, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the President a report identifying 15 megahertz of spectrum between 1675 megahertz and 1710 megahertz for reallocation from Federal use to non-Federal use.
- (b) **Reallocation and auction—**
  - (1) **In general—** Notwithstanding paragraph (15)(A) of [section 309(j) of this title](/usc/47/309.md?p=j), not later than 3 years after February 22, 2012, the [Commission](/usc/47/1401.md?p=11) shall, except as provided in [paragraph (4)](#b-4)—
    - (A) allocate the spectrum described in [paragraph (2)](#b-2) for commercial use; and
    - (B) through a system of competitive bidding under such section, grant new initial licenses for the use of such spectrum, subject to flexible-use service rules.
  - (2) **Spectrum described—** The spectrum described in this paragraph is the following:
    - (A) The frequencies between 1915 megahertz and 1920 megahertz.
    - (B) The frequencies between 1995 megahertz and 2000 megahertz.
    - (C) The frequencies described in [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2).
    - (D) The frequencies between 2155 megahertz and 2180 megahertz.
    - (E) Fifteen megahertz of contiguous spectrum to be identified by the [Commission](/usc/47/1401.md?p=11).
  - (3) **Proceeds to cover 110 percent of Federal relocation or sharing costs—** Nothing in [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall be construed to relieve the [Commission](/usc/47/1401.md?p=11) from the requirements of [section 309(j)(16)(B) of this title](/usc/47/309.md?p=j-16-B).
  - (4) **Determination by Commission—** If the [Commission](/usc/47/1401.md?p=11) determines that the band of frequencies described in [paragraph (2)(A)](#b-2-A) or the band of frequencies described in [paragraph (2)(B)](#b-2-B) cannot be used without causing harmful interference to [commercial mobile service](/usc/47/1401.md?p=9) licensees in the frequencies between 1930 megahertz and 1995 megahertz, the [Commission](/usc/47/1401.md?p=11) may not—
    - (A) allocate such band for commercial use under [paragraph (1)(A)](#b-1-A); or
    - (B) grant licenses under [paragraph (1)(B)](#b-1-B) for the use of such band.
- (c) **Omitted—**

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 112–96, title VI, § 6401, Feb. 22, 2012, 126 Stat. 222.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section is comprised of section 6401 of Pub. L. 112–96. Subsec. (c) of section 6401 of Pub. L. 112–96 amended section 309 of this title.