The Federal Communications Commission has chosen a middle ground in one of the broadcast industry’s biggest spectrum battles in years, proposing to auction 160 megahertz of Upper C-band spectrum—well above the 100 MHz minimum required by Congress, but short of the 180 MHz maximum considered during the rulemaking.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says commissioners will vote July 22 on final rules (GN Docket No. 25-59) authorizing the auction of spectrum between 3.98 and 4.14 GHz next year. If approved, the action would create what the agency calls a contiguous 440 MHz “super-band” for wireless services by pairing the new spectrum with the Lower C-band frequencies auctioned in 2020.
“America’s wireless leadership is back,” Carr said in a statement.
For broadcasters, however, the decision means another major transition for the satellite spectrum that underpins the distribution of radio and television programming across the country. Broadcasters had spent months urging the FCC to stop at the statutory minimum, arguing that clearing additional spectrum would strain an already compressed band used to deliver network television programming, syndicated shows, public radio, and other satellite-fed content to thousands of stations.
Instead, Carr says the FCC’s proposal maximizes the amount of spectrum repurposed while establishing a “fast and fair transition” for incumbent satellite services. He says the proposal keeps the agency on track to meet Congress’ deadlines. The budget bill passed by Congress last July requires the FCC to clear existing users and auction at least 100 megahertz in the Upper C-band by July 2027 and at least 300-megahertz total by 2034.
Carr also touted the speed of the proceeding during a call with reporters Tuesday, saying the agency moved in record time through the rulemaking process. He credited close coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and other federal agencies for allowing wireless providers to begin deploying the spectrum for most Americans before the end of 2030.
“This is a really good win for the country,” Carr said. “We’re on time, on schedule, on budget to have this big auction next year.”
The proposal represents a setback for broadcasters that had warned the FCC against clearing more than 100 MHz. In comments filed earlier this year, the National Association of Broadcasters argued the Upper C-band is “mission-critical to broadcasting” and already operating at its “practical limit.” The group urged the Commission to limit the auction scope, warning that additional clearing would degrade broadcast reliability, increase costs, and potentially require a decade-long transition if stations are forced from the band. NAB also argued that broadcasters “must not bear any direct or indirect transition costs” and said auction winners should pay for the relocation.
The prior relocation required new satellite equipment for many broadcasters. This time, senior FCC officials say they feel “very confident” about being able to accommodate the broadcaster’s concerns in a way that is cost-effective and technologically feasible.
Under draft order, the FCC will rely on the same formula that earlier guided broadcasters out of the Lower C-Band spectrum. Winning bidders will fund transition costs for incumbent satellite operators. Total are expected to be less in aggregate than those paid after the earlier auction, but it will be roughly on par considering there is less spectrum being cleared this time.
The FAA endorsed the proposal, saying it is “confident” the auctioned spectrum can safely coexist with aviation following years of testing and technical analysis. The agency plans to issue its own rule later this summer requiring upgraded radio altimeters in aircraft.