FCC Votes to Clear at Least 100MHz of Upper C-Band Spectrum

Martyn

SatelliteGuys Pro
Sep 25, 2005
643
285
Annandale, VA
"The Federal Communications Commission by a 3-0 vote adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to advance Congress's mandate to clear a minimum of 100MHz of Upper C-band spectrum no later than July 2027 for auction and eventual use for 5G and 6G wireless service."

"The vote comes four months after Congress adopted and President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act) reinstituting the commission's authority to conduct spectrum auctions and directed the FCC to free up spectrum in the 3.7-4.2GHz band for competitive bidding for terrestrial wireless flexible use. The NPRM seeks comment on clearing between 180MHz (from 3.98 to 4.16GHz) to the 100MHz Congress mandated (between 3.98 and 4.08GHz)."

 
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180MHz? They might as well take the entire band. What would those 20MHz remaining go to? Backups for emergency or for the networks? I wouldn't be surprised that once they're done carving up C Band for 5G/6G that they'll go after Ku Band next. After all, satellite TV is declining in viewership, and the big two premium services are no longer launching anymore satellites for the foreseeable future. I guess Dish Network/Echostar can pony up more bandwidth for some cash.
 

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