Wireless airwave frequencies highly sought after by industry are going up on the auction block as soon as June, as DOD along with 11 other federal agencies move to new airspace. According to the Associated Press news service, the Commerce Department says the turnover of an estimated 90 megahertz worth of space will cost $936 million. The Pentagon portion is about $289 million. According to the law mandating the switchover, the auction must deliver about 10 percent above cost—just over a billion. The Pentagon and other government agencies will move to other frequencies, making way for advanced commercial wireless services. The entire process could take up to four years.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.