Pai to Testify at Tuesday Senate Appropriations Subpanel Hearing on Spectrum Auctions

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is to testify at a Tuesday Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee on oversight of the FCC’s “spectrum auctions program,” including the planned auction of frequency on the 3.7-4.2 GHz C band, as expected (see 2006040060). Subcommittee Chairman John Kennedy, R-La., earlier signaled interest in exploring the auction implications of Intelsat's filing for bankruptcy (see 2005140028). Lobbyists expect Kennedy and other members to have questions about the FCC’s approval of Ligado’s L-band plan. The Ligado issue drew the ire of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, including a push for related language in the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (see 2006110026). The hearing begins at 10 a.m. in 124 Dirksen, Senate Appropriations said.