U.S. Needs More Mid-Band Spectrum

CTIA has released a new report by Analysys Mason that demonstrates that the U.S. needs to make available more mid-band spectrum as quickly as possible if we are not going to fall behind other countries in the race for 5G leadership. The new report offers further support for what Free State Foundation scholars have been saying for many months.

First, it should be acknowledged that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's "5G Fast Plan," which includes freeing up spectrum, already has played a very constructive role and will continue to do so with regard to speeding 5G deployment. If you haven't seen it already, I urge you to watch the video of Chairman Pai's remarks at the Free State Foundation's Twelfth Annual Telecom Policy Conference on March 10.

Nevertheless, the Analysys Mason report shows the case for making more mid-band spectrum available for licensed use remains pressing. Here are some key Analysys Mason findings.

• On average, other countries will have 5X more licensed mid-band than the U.S. by end of year.
• On average, other countries will have 5X more licensed mid-band than the U.S. by end of year.
• 310 MHz is the amount of mid-band spectrum needed to close the gap.

We shouldn't need a wake-up call, and I am cautious about invoking the COVID-19 pandemic gratuitously or wantonly as a basis for public policy actions. But I do think there is widespread agreement that the current coronavirus crisis has made all Americans more aware of the importance to the country's general welfare and security of having in place robust, ubiquitous broadcast networks. And there should be widespread agreement as well that the availability -- in a timely fashion -- of more mid-band licensed spectrum has an important role to play.