FCC approves sweeping space reforms while clearing more C-band for 5G

The Federal Communications Commission voted July 22 to push satellite operators out of more C-band spectrum for a 5G auction next year, while approving a licensing overhaul aimed at accelerating the commercial space economy.

The upper C-band order sets up a July 2027 auction of 160 megahertz in the 3.98-4.14 gigahertz band, following a sale of 280 MHz of lower C-band in 2020 that generated more than $80 billion from telcos such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.

Clearing lower and upper C-band frequencies would create a 440 MHz “super band” for terrestrial wireless networks, the FCC said, with services slated to begin in the top 75 U.S. markets as early as December 2030.

C-band incumbents — mainly Europe’s SES and Eutelsat, which use the frequencies to distribute TV services in the United States, will need to relocate to the remaining 40 MHz of upper C-band or other spectrum such as Ku-band.

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