Senate hearing: FCC says it is building an 800‑MHz spectrum pipeline and teeing up C‑band auctions
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Summary
Chair Carr told senators the FCC is implementing a large spectrum pipeline from the Working Families Tax Cut Act and is preparing auctions, including up to 180 MHz in the upper C‑band, aiming to meet a statutory July 2027 deadline; commissioners said spectrum policy also must protect DOD and aviation safety.
WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission told the Senate Commerce Committee it is actively executing a newly restored auction authority after Congress enacted spectrum provisions in the Working Families Tax Cut Act, and is preparing multiple auctions intended to free up 800 megahertz of spectrum for commercial use.
Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency is coordinating with the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to meet statutory deadlines, and specifically referenced an FCC vote to propose auctioning up to 180 megahertz in the upper C‑band for commercial use. Carr framed the pipeline as central to U.S. competitiveness in 6G and to lowering consumer prices by enabling new fixed and mobile services.
Context: Senators emphasized both economic and national‑security considerations. Ranking members and some Democrats warned that rapid auctions must not undermine aviation safety or military readiness and pressed for coordination with defense agencies. Commissioner Trustee described international negotiating stakes ahead of the World Radio Communications Conference and urged a balanced approach that preserves unlicensed uses (Wi‑Fi 7/8) and satellite needs.
Key figures and timelines: Carr said the agency is aligned to deliver on a statutory auction deadline of July 2027. He said the FCC has begun processes for multiple spectrum actions, including an upper C‑band proposal and a satellite spectrum‑abundance proceeding to make large millimeter and gigahertz bands available for space and fixed satellite services.
Next steps: Senators asked the FCC for briefings to help inform congressional work on modernizing spectrum rules ahead of the World Radio Communications Conference; Carr agreed to provide follow‑ups and work with the committee’s working group.
