The FCC’s Spectrum Challenge

The Federal Communications Commission has been tasked by Congress to find and auction 800 megahertz of mid-range spectrum. This was a key element of the One Big Beautiful Bill that planned to use the proceeds from spectrum auctions to offset other costs created by the bill. The bill specifically requires the FCC to auction 100 megahertz of spectrum in the upper C-Band, located at 3.98 – 4.2 GHz. The new requirement to auction that spectrum has resulted in a strong response from the aviation industry and the Federal Aviation Administration. This new controversy is a perfect example of the challenges the FCC is going to face as it tries to free up 800 megahertz of spectrum. Proposing to change any mid-range spectrum is going to rile up controversy and opposition from those who care about a given spectrum band. I don’t envy the FCC’s job of auctioning the spectrum as directed by Congress. I predict big lobbying battles and probably big lawsuits before much spectrum actually makes it to an auction.