en.Wedoany.com Reported - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote on July 22 to advance the auction of 160MHz of spectrum in the 3.98GHz to 4.14GHz band (upper C-band), with the auction scheduled for 2027. This move will create a continuous 440MHz mid-band resource from 3.70GHz to 4.14GHz, exceeding the minimum 100MHz requirement set by Congress by 60MHz.
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the legislation restores the FCC's spectrum auction authority and establishes a robust spectrum pipeline. "America's wireless leadership is back," Brendan said. "Thanks to early and close coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), we are delivering results on time, on budget, and without surprises." The FCC order includes safety measures such as limiting 5G signal power, establishing buffer zones, and restricting tower heights, along with a reimbursement mechanism to support aircraft altimeter upgrades. Winning bidders will be responsible for transition costs, incentive payments to existing license holders, and reimbursements for altimeter upgrades, with the FCC estimating that the total budget will be well below the expected auction proceeds.
Regarding coordination with aviation authorities, the FAA stated in a statement: "After years of FAA-led testing and technical analysis, the FAA is confident that the use of radio signals from the FCC's 5G auction can coexist with aviation safety." The FAA will issue its own rules later this summer requiring aircraft altimeter upgrades.
The draft framework allows winning bidders to begin offering upper C-band wireless services in the top 75 markets starting December 2030, with other markets following from July 2031. The auction will offer 3,248 new flexible-use spectrum licenses in the continental United States.
The FCC estimates that this spectrum release could contribute at least $264 billion to GDP growth, create 1.5 million jobs, and generate $388 billion in consumer surplus. Specific financial figures will be released after the July 22 vote.
