The FCC on Wednesday approved rules to auction 160 megahertz of Upper C-Band spectrum by July 2027, a step Chairman Brendan Carr said could deliver faster, cheaper wireless service.
Carr said the sale could raise $30 billion to $60 billion or more for the U.S. Treasury, after Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut directed the agency to bring more airwaves to market.
The order combines Lower and Upper C-Band into a 440-megahertz “super-band” spanning 3.70-4.14 GHz, with competitive bidding for licenses and harmonized operating rules across the band.
The FCC said terrestrial wireless use in the Upper C-Band would begin in December 2030 under technical safeguards and a coordinated timeline tied to FAA radio altimeter retrofit requirements.
The move advances the first major U.S. spectrum auction in five years and is being framed by FCC leaders as part of a push to regain ground in 5G and wireless competition with China.
Will America's push for 6G dominance leave its own military and aviation agencies starved for vital wireless spectrum?
With new spectrum unusable until 2031, can the U.S. truly win the 6G race against rivals deploying spectrum today?
FCC to Auction 160 MHz of Upper C-Band Spectrum: Economic, Technical, and Stakeholder Impacts Ahead of 2027 Rollout
Overview
On July 22, 2026, the FCC is set to vote on authorizing the auction of 160 MHz of Upper C-Band spectrum (3.98–4.14 GHz), a move that goes beyond the minimum required by Congress. This decision is a key part of the FCC’s broader strategy to boost advanced wireless services like 5G and 6G across the U.S. By releasing more spectrum than required, the FCC shows its commitment to building a stronger wireless infrastructure. The auction is planned for 2027 and is expected to drive innovation, investment, and improved connectivity nationwide.