FCC Penalizes Broadband Companies for Breaking Bidding Plan Rules

The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday penalized two broadband companies for sharing their plans for spectrum auction bids with other participants.

Router12 Networks LLC, an Iowa-based company, was fined $50,000 while Nikola Engineering Inc., a Washington-based company, was fined $30,000.

Each company admitted to “engaging in prohibited communications” and committed to implementing a compliance plan, separate FCC Enforcement Bureau documents state.

Further, Router 12 admitted it failed “to report prohibited communications,” the FCC said.

Router12 and Nikola were participants in Auction 105, also knows as Citizens Broadband Radio Service, which
involves the auction of 22,631 county-based licenses in the 3.5 ...