ISSUE BRIEFS
Licensed Spectrum Resources.
Wireless networks need more full-power, licensed spectrum to meet demand, support reliable and secure connectivity for all, maintain our economic and national security, and help close the digital divide.
The following briefs provide an overview into the issues, challenges and opportunities associated with allocating more licensed spectrum.
Congress Always Pairs FCC Auction Authority with Specific Auctions
Congress has attached specific mandated auction bands in every multi-year auction authority extension since auction authority was first established in 1993. These mandated auctions have proven to be the backbone of U.S. wireless networks, creating new jobs and untold opportunities.
Up to $200B in U.S. Economic Benefits Depends on 5G Spectrum Harmonization
The U.S. risks becoming a spectrum island without access to more harmonized, full-power, licensed mid-band, and this carries major economic risks. Allocating globally recognized 5G spectrum maximizes downstream growth and innovation, with those leading harmonization benefitting from first-mover advantages in new technological ecosystems. It also supports the goal of securing the equipment supply chain, according to Accenture. The Administration is studying two bands that could immediately address this challenge–lower 3 GHz and 7/8 GHz.
The Spectrum Harmonization Landscape
According to Accenture, allocating internationally harmonized mid-band spectrum for 5G can add up to $200 billion to America’s economy over the next 10 years. The international community is rapidly coalescing around four bands (lower 3 GHz, 4 GHz, 6 GHz, 7/8 GHz) to support their 5G networks. To maintain our 5G leadership, meet exploding demand and build the foundation for future innovation and growth, policymakers must move quickly to maximize the opportunities remaining in these bands.
New Accenture Report Warns of Risks of U.S. Becoming a Spectrum Island
Includes key quotes from Accenture’s new report, “Advancing U.S. Wireless Excellence – The Case for Global Spectrum Harmonization,” which finds that $200 billion in U.S. economic growth relies on adopting globally harmonized licensed mid-band spectrum.
CSIS Finds U.S. Under Threat from China’s Licensed Spectrum
In a series of reports, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlights how U.S. 5G and spectrum leadership is critical to our economic competitiveness and national security. CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to defining the future of national security, and their interest in spectrum underscores the security implications of falling behind on wireless leadership.
5G Fixed Wireless Access Is Providing Real Cable Competition–More Spectrum Is Key to Billions in New Consumer Savings
5G fixed wireless access (FWA) service, also known as 5G home broadband, accounted for 90% of all new broadband subscriptions in 2022, and the two fastest growing home broadband providers are wireless companies. A new survey and report by Econ One explains the trend—5G FWA home broadband service offers high speeds and low prices, competing directly with cable, and we see consumers are embracing more choice. If operators had additional spectrum capacity to compete more aggressively, FWA would further drive down cable pricing, resulting in $8.1 billion in savings.
U.S. Military Systems Coexist with 5G in Over 30 Countries
Today nearly 50 countries operate full-power 5G networks in the 3.3-3.45 GHz range. In more than 30 of these countries, 5G operates alongside the same military radar systems that are used domestically—demonstrating that 5G can operate in the 3.3-3.45 GHz band in the U.S. without risking our national security.
U.S. Does Not Have Enough Spectrum to Meet Demand
A report from Brattle Group finds the U.S. needs 400 megahertz of full power, licensed mid-band spectrum in the next five years to meet projected demand. This deficit will grow by more than 3x to nearly 1,500 megahertz by 2032. The report provides Congress and the Administration clear new targets to meet to ensure U.S. economic and national security.
BCG Study Recommends Additional Spectrum to Fulfill 5G’s Promise
Four years after the first major deployments of 5G in the United States, Boston Consulting Group evaluated America’s progress on the five factors needed to unlock 5G-driven innovations across the 5G economy. Their new report, “Accelerating the 5G Economy in the US,” finds that while the United States has performed well with early deployments, more needs to be done to secure the future benefits of 5G and new, transformative use case across industries. In particular, BCG identifies the need for additional full-power, licensed mid-band spectrum for wireless use.
Global Rivals Have Significantly More Mid-Band
Building on Analysys Mason’s research, the U.S. lags its peers by an average of 198 MHz in mid-band access, and by 2027, the U.S. deficit will actually grow 115% absent swift government action.
Key Bands of Licensed Spectrum Create Pipeline Opportunity
Lower 3 GHz, 4 GHz, and 7/8 GHz bands have key characteristics that make them suitable for licensed spectrum use.
5G: By the Numbers
Thanks to unprecedented levels of investment, 5G was the fastest rollout of a wireless generation, and today powers nearly one-third of total wireless connections, all fueled by licensed spectrum.
Wireless Powers America
The wireless industry is a driving force for the U.S. economy, investing $39 billion in networks in 2022, contributing over $825 billion in GDP, and enabling 4.5 million jobs.
Doing More With Less: Efficient Wireless Industry Needs More Spectrum to Meet Future Demand
The wireless industry is an extremely efficient steward of its spectrum holdings, but more spectrum is needed to meet the ever–increasing demand for mobile data.
How Licensed Spectrum Drives Digital Equity
Wireless networks help bridge the digital divide and deliver digital equity, and new 5G home offerings are bringing more competitive options to the market. But more licensed spectrum is needed to secure a connected future for all.
5G and Licensed Spectrum Offer the Security and Reliability to Meet Cybersecurity Challenges
5G wireless networks built on licensed spectrum provide the most secure wireless communications available. To ensure all Americans benefit from highly secure and reliable 5G wireless, policymakers should allocate more spectrum for licensed use.
Licensed, Mid-band Spectrum Needed to Keep Pace with China
Overview of the U.S. position on 5G and the need to stay ahead of China on 5G network and economic development, which starts with making more mid-band available.
5G & Licensed Spectrum Create Platform for Innovation
5G networks built on licensed spectrum are already sparking innovation in communities and industries across the country. More licensed spectrum is needed to expand this platform, secure network performance in the face of ever increasing data demand, support the development of new 5G-powered devices, and enable the speeds and capacity necessary to fuel future 5G innovation.
CBRS: An Unproven Experiment
Recon Analytics found that CBRS is underutilized, has failed to generate innovative use cases, has rules that limit its effectiveness, and it carries a high opportunity cost when compared to other uses for the spectrum.
Three Key Characteristics for Licensed Mid-Band Spectrum
Rysavy Research analyzed the key spectrum characteristics that will unlock 5G’s full potential: exclusive use licenses, full power levels, and wide bands of contiguous spectrum.
Wireless Auctions: The Most Efficient Spectrum Allocation Tool
Spectrum auctions identify the best and most efficient use of spectrum, provide certainty for operators, are open to all parties, and raise money for government initiatives.
U.S. Spectrum Challenges
Spectrum policy issues that policymakers should prioritize to drive next-generation leadership in 5G and the industries of the future.