The FCC finalized bidding procedures for high-band spectrum auctions that are slated to begin with 28 GHz licenses on Nov. 14, immediately followed by 24 GHz.    

The 28 GHz licenses (covering 27.5-28.35 GHz) will be offered in two 425 megahertz blocks allotted by county, while 24 GHz licenses (covering 24.25-24.45 GHz and 24.75-25.25 GHz) will be offered in seven 100 megahertz blocks, with participants bidding on generic blocks in each Partial Economic Area, according to the FCC.

At Thursday’s open meeting the commission also proposed next steps for a single auction to open up spectrum in the upper 37 GHz, 39 GHz and 47 GHz bands.

 “Today’s forward-looking action by Chairman Pai and the FCC will help the United States win the global 5G race,” said CTIA SVP for Regulatory Affairs Scott Bergmann in a statement. “High-band spectrum is critical to meeting growing demand for connected devices, and will enable the Internet of Things and the smart cities of the future.”

Both AT&T and Verizon are relying on millimeter wave for their respective early 5G rollouts later this year.

In a separate vote on Thursday, the FCC also adopted a one-touch make-ready (OTMR) policy aimed at easing the cost and time needed for attaching new broadband equipment to utility poles in an effort to accelerate broadband and 5G deployment. Read more about that on CED.