FCC To Consider Options on Upper C-band Auction

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has drafted a proposal to auction up to 180 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.87 to 4.2 GHz band for next-gen wireless services. To come under consideration by the FCC at its November open meeting, the proposal will seek options on a range of options “with the ultimate goal of maximizing the amount of spectrum to be repurposed as generational aviation safety upgrades occur in the adjacent band,” according to the agency.

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, Congress directs the agency to complete a competitive bidding for at least 100 MHz in the Upper C-band no later than July 2027. Specifically, it requires the auction of “prime, mid-band spectrum” in the Upper C-Band.

That measure drew substantial opposition from Senate Democrats and, in particular, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), who reminded of the consequences of previous allocations of the C-Band. “Proceeding to auction the entire upper C-band, without coordination with or concurrence from DOT, FAA, and the aviation industry, risks a repetition of the 2021 5G C-Band rollout, when the FAA was forced to issue emergency airworthiness directives, institute flight restrictions around airports nationwide, and nearly ground all commercial flights across the country,” Cantwell had written in a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “These disruptions cost air carriers an estimated $2.1 billion and disrupted passenger travel across the nation. Given the efforts you are undertaking to improve aviation safety, we cannot risk another disaster.”

The FCC previously issued a notice of inquiry seeking stakeholder input, and the draft proposal would push forward on the proposal with plans to generally apply existing 3.7-GHz service rules to any new wireless operations.

It is seeking comment on how much of the Upper C-band spectrum, beyond the minimum requirement, should be repurposed. In addition, the proposal solicits comments on ways to “promote co-existence with adjacent band radio altimeters,” along with other issues that may arise for repurposing a portion of the Upper C-band.

FCC chairman Brendan Carr circulated the proposal on Wednesday, saying, “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…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.”

Carr praised the FAA and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for “their ongoing engagement and constructive input throughout this process.”