Spectrum

FCC Plans November Vote on Upper C-band Proposal

The agency said it would seek comment on auctioning up to 180 megahertz.

Jake Neenan

Oct 29, 2025 — 3 min read

Photo of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr from Andres Kudacki/AP

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission will vote next month on a proposal that would seek comment on auctioning 180 megahertz of spectrum in the upper C-band, the agency announced Wednesday.

“The draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will seek comment on a range of options, including auctioning up to 180 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.98-4.2 GHz band for next-gen wireless services,” the agency said in a release. “The Commission will consider all options within that range, with the ultimate goal of maximizing the amount of spectrum to be repurposed as generational aviation safety upgrades occur in the adjacent band.”

The major wireless carriers and airlines recently came to the FCC saying they had agreed that 180 megahertz of the band could be auctioned safely. Altimeters, crucial devices that keep track of planes’ altitude, operate in the band just above the upper C-band and there were some concerns about interference if wireless carriers were allowed to use more of the band.

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