The Federal Communications Commission has launched a new proceeding on how to rescue the part of its 700MHz broadband auction that failed: the D Block of the sale. That portion of the spectrum came with a public safety string attached—the owner has to share the license with a nonprofit that provides national broadband access to emergency responders. No party bid the FCC's minimal asking price for the license. Now the agency says that it plans to re-auction the spectrum "under revised rules."

At today's open meeting, the Commissioners voted unanimously to go back to square one. They were also candid about the difficulty of the problem. "I thank everyone who helped develop today’s item and who is willing to dedicate the next few months to contributing to the pressing and unbelievably important task we find before us," declared Michael Copps. "We’re going to need all the help we can get."

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