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

[Martyn]

"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)."

FCC Proposes Upper C-Band Rules for 2027 Auction

In a 3-0 vote, the commissioners adopted the NPRM seeking comment on its plan to free up a minimum of 100 MHz of Upper C-band spectrum

www.tvtechnology.com

 

[TRG]

Thread 'Future of C-band Radio Content Distribution'

Nov 18, 2025

Always enjoy "The Broadcast Engineer's" take on technical subjects.


View: https://youtu.be/Pe3WvHQMf38?si=mGVeCQneDTqZ8KTN

• Titanium
• Replies: 64
• Forum: Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

• 

 

[TNGuy84]

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.

 

[comfortably_numb]

they'll go after Ku Band next

KU is not desirable as celluar spectrum.

 

[comfortably_numb]

180MHz?

100, not 180.

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[JFOK]

100, not 180.

100, not 180.

Hi comfortably_ numb,

Is 6g that much faster 5g ??
Is it REALLY needed ?
Basically I think this is a "pissing contest" between the U.S. And China for technical bragging rights and we hobbiests are suffering the consequences.

John

 

[navychop]

the big two premium services are no longer launching anymore satellites for the foreseeable future.

Yes they are. Dish has two in the pipeline.

DK why.

 

[TNGuy84]

Yes they are. Dish has two in the pipeline.

DK why.

They're branching out into LEO satellites like Starlink. Perhaps Dish is trying to challenge Starlink on satellite Internet distribution.

 

[navychop]

Pretty sure those sats are meant for geo.

 

[mr3p]

Is the remaining 20MHz intended a buffer between 5G/6G and aeronautical radionavigation?

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[hdtvtechno]

Decommission satellite tv and convert everything to IPTV streaming. Smart move.


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[comfortably_numb]

Smart move.

This is a joke, right?

 

[MrMars]

This is a must read as to what the plans are depending how much bandwidth they take away

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10120267004634/1

Quick recap if it is 100mhz then no changes but it will take at least 3 years.

If they take more they will launch 5 or 7 KU satellites depending how much they take plus 2 backups and that will take 5 years.

This is the statement from PSSI which is also a very good read. They explain even taking 100mhz should not be allowed. I cannot see any case that argument wins but obviously would love to see it happen.

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/101201610816151/1

 

[cyberham]

Decommission satellite tv and convert everything to IPTV streaming. Smart move.

So change FTA free-to-end user TV to IPTV which requires fairly expensive high-speed Internet connections, where and when available? Doesn't seem good for end users.

 

[WhiteBeard]

So change FTA free-to-end user TV to IPTV which requires fairly expensive high-speed Internet connections, where and when available? Doesn't seem good for end users.

It sucks to have to throw away my C band equipment but what is one to do? As for IPTV streaming, I currently have a 500 Mb connection but 1 Gb is available if needed and my router is capable of 1Gb. I think there are newer routers available that will do more than 2 Gb. So far 500 Mb is good for me despite having so many devices.

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[comfortably_numb]

If they take more they will launch 5 or 7 KU satellites

Well, that's good news I guess.

 

[N5XZS]

More Ku bands birds the better!!

 

[k4otl]

So change FTA free-to-end user TV to IPTV which requires fairly expensive high-speed Internet connections, where and when available? Doesn't seem good for end users.

Remember the old joke: "In the Soviet Union TV watches you", yeah now it does everywhere, one reason I stream nothing
OTA, FTA, and DVDs are more than adequate for me. All else fails I can always read more books.

 

[k4otl]

Well, that's good news I guess.

If C band completely dies (sounds like they'll keep a small portion, maybe...) I'll just use my 10 footer for Ku. No (perceivable) rain fade then