Key facts
- Upcoming US wireless spectrum auctions could generate over $100 billion.
- The FCC plans to hold multiple spectrum auctions by the end of 2028.
- A 2027 auction will offer 160 megahertz of mid-band spectrum in the Upper C-Band.
- The FCC approved EchoStar's $40 billion sale of wireless spectrum to SpaceX.
- AT&T and Verizon are acquiring spectrum assets from U.S. Cellular for $1 billion.
- The Trump administration is preparing for multiple 6G wireless auctions in 2028.
Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr stated on Wednesday that a series of upcoming wireless spectrum auctions over the next few years could generate more than $100 billion in proceeds. The FCC is moving to conduct three additional auctions by the end of 2028, following a planned 2027 auction of 160 megahertz of mid-band spectrum in the Upper C-Band.
Carr noted that interest in wireless spectrum extends beyond major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, anticipating that the auctions will foster new competition. He highlighted that recent market responses have been stronger than in previous years. The FCC has recently approved significant spectrum transactions, including EchoStar's $40 billion sale to SpaceX and AT&T and Verizon's $1 billion deal for spectrum assets from U.S. Cellular. SpaceX acquired spectrum for its Starlink device-to-device service and other offerings, and the FCC is also opening more spectrum for space-based broadband.
The Trump administration is preparing the groundwork for multiple 6G wireless auctions scheduled for 2028. The FCC's aggressive approach to auctioning spectrum aims to meet the rapidly growing demand for wireless services and support advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and connected sensors. Carr emphasized that increased competition drives down prices for consumers and raises revenue for the Treasury, referencing a past auction that funded the replacement of Chinese equipment in U.S. networks due to national security concerns.
Data from the wireless industry association CTIA indicates a significant increase in data usage, with Americans expected to use 159.3 trillion megabytes of data in 2025, a 20% rise from 2024. The association also projects that AI will grow three times faster than standard wireless traffic and constitute nearly a third of all broadband traffic by 2034.