Continuing its efforts to increase access to unused portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened its auction for licenses to operate in the 5G mid-band spectrum.
The FCC’s Auction 108, which officially launched on July 29, makes available over 8000 individual licenses in the 2.5 GHz band (2496-2690 MHz) in areas of the country with unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum. Since these are mostly in rural parts of the U.S., the FCC hopes that this Auction round will help increase access to 5G coverage in underserved parts of the country.
License recipients must protect the operation of any incumbent licensees within their licensed area as a condition of their license.
Read the FCC’s press releases about the launch of the 5G mid-band spectrum auction.