May 4, 2005

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) said yesterday it is seeking comment on a 30-page experimental design to examine the performance properties of simultaneous multiple round spectrum auctions with and without combinatorial bidding.

Comments are due June 1 with replies due June 15.

"The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau seeks to use economic experiments to test possible auction designs in order to observe the reactions of real people in situations where they must make bidding decisions in the presence of uncertainty, market complexity and economic incentives.

Detailed analysis of the experimental outcomes may help in making auction design choices for upcoming spectrum auctions and may suggest ways to fine tune the rules and procedures for the chosen mechanism," said the commission.

The FCC is trying to determine the best way to design a combinatorial-bidding auction, and the purpose of the experimental design is to evaluate the various ideas.

Source: RCR News