NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today applauded FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s and the Commission for voting at its July 22 Open Meeting on a draft order to auction 160 megahertz of prime, mid-band spectrum in the Upper C-Band (3.98-4.14 GHz).
The draft order will harmonize terrestrial wireless operations across the full C-Band, creating a contiguous 440 megahertz “super-band” spanning 3.70-4.14 GHz when the Upper C-Band is combined with the previously cleared Lower C-Band.
The resulting auction, expected next year, would clear 60 megahertz more than the 100 megahertz minimum Congress required the FCC to auction by July 2027 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Commission projects the Upper C-Band can be lit up for most Americans before the end of 2030, supported by close coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration on the transition of incumbent satellite operations and the protection of aviation radio altimeters in the adjacent band.
Todd Schlekeway, President & CEO of NATE, issued the following statement:
“NATE commends Chairman Carr and the Commission for moving this auction forward on an aggressive but workable timeline. Our member companies are the ones who will climb the towers, build the small cells, and install the equipment needed to put this spectrum to work, and a large, contiguous block of mid-band spectrum means a sustained pipeline of deployment work for the skilled workforce our industry represents.
We’re also encouraged by the close coordination between the FCC and the FAA on protecting radio altimeters, which reflects the kind of careful planning needed to clear spectrum without compromising aviation safety. NATE looks forward to working with the Commission, Congress, and our industry partners to build the infrastructure that will carry this spectrum to the American people.”
