 Following the analog switch-off, the FCC reallocated channels 52 through 69 (the 700 MHz band) for other communications traffic, completing the reallocation of broadcast channels 52–69 that began in the late 1990s.These channels were auctioned off in early 2008, with the winning bidders taking possession of them in June 2009.Four channels from this portion of the broadcast spectrum (60, 61, 68, and 69) were held for reallocation to public safety communications (such as police, fire, and emergency rescue).