Federal Register #AU Docket No. 26-191

FCC Auction of 3,248 Upper C-Band Spectrum Licenses for Next-Generation Wireless Services

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing to auction 3,248 new flexible-use licenses in the 3.984-4.14 GHz Upper C-Band for next-generation wireless services across the contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. - Government Buyer: - Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA), Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) - OEMs and Vendors: - FCC is the sole issuer of the spectrum licenses - Products/Services Requested: - 3,248 flexible-use spectrum licenses in the 3.984-4.14 GHz band - Each license covers an unpaired 20-megahertz block, organized by Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) - Licenses are valid for 15-year renewable terms - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Auction will use an ascending clock phase for generic license blocks, followed by an assignment phase for frequency-specific licenses - Bidding credits available for small businesses (up to $25 million) and rural service providers (up to $10 million) - Nationwide providers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) are subject to specific competitive bidding rules - The FCC is soliciting public comments on auction procedures, bidding credits, and eligibility requirements

Description

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announces an auction of 3,248 new flexible-use licenses in the 3.98-4.14 GHz band, designated as Auction 115. The auction is scheduled for April 27, 2027, and the FCC's Office of Economics and Analytics and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau seek comments on the competitive bidding procedures and auction design. Licenses will be issued for 15-year renewable terms and cover spectrum in the Upper C-band throughout the contiguous United States. Comments on the proposed auction procedures are due by August 24, 2026, with reply comments due by September 8, 2026.

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