If broadcasters don’t like it, they can turn their license in, and they can go to a different type of platform. The idea, at first glance, would allow broadcasters to remain under traditional public interest requirements or compete for a new class of licenses with fewer regulatory constraints that look more like spectrum rights held by mobile carriers. “Licenses come with conditions,” Carr continued, noting that this goes across the agency, mentioning a matter involving EchoStar. Granted, since federal law explicitly conditions broadcast licenses on serving the public interest, implementing such an auction would almost certainly require congressional approval. Carr has framed his proposal as one way to give stations more options in a rapidly shifting media environment.