Commerce Nominee Lutnick Leans Toward 5G Carriers on Spectrum

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2025 – The spectrum dispute between the big wireless carriers and the Defense Department continued at Howard Lutnick’s confirmation hearing Wednesday. President Donald Trump’s pick to run the Commerce Department hewed toward the 5G industry’s side.

The 5G industry is eager for more licensed mid-band spectrum for its mobile networks, but DoD, which holds some of that spectrum, is not interested in moving its military systems to other airwaves – particularly the lower 3 GigaHertz band. The issue created an impasse that resulted in the Federal Communications Commission losing its ability to auction off spectrum in March 2023.

“We’ve got to make sure to protect ourselves. But, with all due respect, if I’m going to be your Secretary of Commerce, I kind of lean toward commerce,” Lutnick said. “I’d like to help us drive some of that spectrum toward our businesses.”