FCC to Advance U.S. Wireless Leadership with Vote on C-Band Proposal

Notice Seeks to Maximize Mid-Band Spectrum Available for 5G and 6G Services WASHINGTON — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr circulated a proposal to advance America’s leadership in wireless by seeking comment on auctioning additional mid-band spectrum in the Upper C-Band. The draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will seek comment on a range of options, including auctioning up to 180 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.98-4.2 GHz band for next-gen wireless services. The Commission will consider all options within that range, with the ultimate goal of maximizing the amount of spectrum to be repurposed as generational aviation safety upgrades occur in the adjacent band. With this proposal, the Commission takes an important step towards implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill, which requires the FCC to complete a system of competitive bidding for at least 100 MHz in the Upper C-band no later than July 2027. The draft Notice will be voted on by the Commission at its November Open Meeting. Chairman Carr issued the following statement: “President Trump has been clear that America is going to lead the world in next-generation technologies. That is why the FCC’s Build America Agenda prioritizes the work needed to restore U.S. leadership in wireless. And thanks to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, the Commission now has the tools to deliver on that goal. Specifically, the Bill authorizes and requires the FCC to auction prime, mid-band spectrum in the Upper C-Band, and my proposal aims to maximize the amount of spectrum available for 5G and 6G services. “Restoring America’s leadership position is important. After all, freeing up spectrum drives down prices for consumers, creates jobs, and increases competition. It also plays a vital role in promoting our national security and geopolitical interests. We’ve seen how the Lower C-band powers in-home and high-speed mobile broadband across the country. “We have no time to spare. The One Big Beautiful Bill requires us to complete an Upper C-band auction by July 2027. So it is now time to start making important decisions on how best to unleash new wireless services quickly in the band. I also want to thank our federal partners, particularly the FAA and NTIA, for their ongoing engagement and constructive input throughout this process.”