Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said September 16 that a series of U.S. spectrum auctions planned over the next two years could generate more than $100 billion, as the agency prepares to release additional frequencies for terrestrial wireless networks, space-based broadband and future 6G services.
The estimate covers a multi-year auction program beginning with 160 megahertz of Upper C-band spectrum scheduled for sale in 2027. The FCC has also formally notified the administration of plans for three additional auctions, with the goal of completing them by the end of 2028.
Carr presented the revenue figure as a projection rather than a guaranteed government target. Auction proceeds depend on the frequencies offered, license conditions, geographic coverage and the number of qualified bidders. Demand could extend beyond AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile as satellite operators and other communications providers seek spectrum for direct-to-device and hybrid terrestrial-space networks.
The first major sale will involve 160 megahertz in the 3.98–4.14 GHz portion of the Upper C-band. Bidding is scheduled to begin April 27, 2027. Congress required the FCC to auction at least 100 megahertz by July 2027, but the commission elected to make a larger block available.
Mid-band spectrum is particularly valuable because it offers a balance between geographic coverage and data capacity. Lower-frequency signals generally travel farther and penetrate buildings more effectively, while higher-frequency bands support greater capacity but require denser infrastructure. C-band frequencies have therefore become central to the expansion of U.S. 5G networks and are expected to remain important as operators move toward 6G.
Satellite Operators Face Another C-Band Transition
The Upper C-band is already used for satellite communications, meaning the auction cannot proceed without relocating incumbent services and managing interference risks. Satellite operators will need to consolidate operations into the remaining portion of the band, replace or modify equipment and coordinate the transition with customers and ground infrastructure providers.
The FCC has allocated approximately $6.3 billion in incentive payments to satellite operators supporting the clearance. SES is expected to receive 89% of that amount, Eutelsat 8% and Telesat 3%. Eligible relocation expenses, which the commission estimates at an additional $4 billion to $5 billion, are also expected to be reimbursed.
Operators must complete the primary transition by December 2030 to qualify for $4.9 billion of the incentive pool, with another $1.4 billion tied to a final June 2031 deadline. The arrangement creates a direct link between the auction timetable and the satellite industry’s ability to move broadcast, data-distribution and other services without disrupting existing customers.
The FCC is also considering rebates to help the U.S. aviation sector retrofit radar altimeters against possible interference from expanded C-band mobile operations. Radar-altimeter compatibility became a major concern during the earlier rollout of 5G services near airports, making technical coordination with aviation regulators a central part of the new auction framework.
Space-Based Networks Expand the Buyer Pool
The auctions are unfolding as satellite and terrestrial communications markets become increasingly interconnected. SpaceX has acquired spectrum from EchoStar to support Starlink direct-to-device services and other connectivity products, while the FCC is examining additional spectrum access for space-based broadband.
Earlier in 2026, SpaceX also acquired two licenses for $8.49 million in an FCC auction that generated more than $3.5 billion. Verizon secured 82 licenses for $3.16 billion, T-Mobile won 102 licenses for $277.8 million and AT&T purchased 10 licenses for $120.8 million.
Those results illustrate the difference between license count and spectrum value: prices depend heavily on bandwidth, population coverage, interference conditions and permitted services. The forthcoming Upper C-band auction could command substantially higher bids because of the band’s usefulness for nationwide mobile networks.
Carr said broader participation could create additional competition in a U.S. wireless market dominated by three national carriers. The auctions will also help the Treasury recover public value from commercial spectrum use and could fund communications-related government programs.
Demand continues to rise as mobile video, artificial intelligence, connected sensors, autonomous systems and satellite-enabled services generate more network traffic. Industry group CTIA reported that U.S. users consumed 159.3 trillion megabytes of wireless data in 2025, an increase of 20% from 2024. The group expects AI-related traffic to grow three times faster than conventional wireless traffic and account for nearly one-third of broadband usage by 2034.
The FCC’s next test will be whether the 2027 Upper C-band sale attracts both established mobile carriers and newer space-based competitors while providing enough time and funding for satellite and aviation incumbents to complete the required technical transitions.
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