The FCC will start auctioning 700MHz spectrum on Jan. 16, 2008.

    Auction 73, as it has been officially named, must close by Jan. 28, the agency said late Friday.

    The spectrum is becoming available because television stations must move to all-digital signals by Feb. 2009. Service providers covet the 700MHz band for its ability to penetrate walls better than other spectrum, and for its long-distance reach.

    The FCC on July 31 released the rules for the long-awaited auction. Some of the rules include anonymous bidding and allowing open access for device attachments on a small swath of the spectrum.