Report Finds C-Band Spectrum is Speeding Up 5G Services

OpenSignal released a report on October 12 titled "How C-Band is jump-starting AT&T and Verizon's 5G experience." According to the report, AT&T users' average 5G download speeds increased by 34.6% between March and September, going from 50 Mbps up to 67.3 Mbps. And during that same time span, Verizon users' 5G download speeds increased 15.8%, going from 70.3 Mbps up to 81.4 Mbps. As the OpenSignal report observes, during that seven-month timeframe, both mobile broadband providers boosted their use of licensed C-band spectrum in providing 5G services, with AT&T's use of C-band rising to more than 30% of user 5G readings while Verizon's use of C-band grew to almost 50% of user 5G readings.

The OpenSignal report findings reflect the importance of C-band spectrum for realizing the full potential of 5G wireless networks to enhance broadband market competition and offer value to consumers. As C-band increasingly is put into use, one can expect the performance metrics to show further significant improvements in speeds as well as capacity. 

The report also ought to serve as a reminder of the necessity of making more mid-band spectrum available for commercial use. There are presently three mid-band spectrum candidates for repurposing: the 3.1-3.45 GHz band, the 4.4-4.49 GHz band, and the 7.125-8.46 GHz band. Together, these three swaths comprise over 1,400 MHz of spectrum that potentially could be licensed for commercial wireless use, to the benefit of consumers, industry, and the American economy. Congress should pursue legislation to authorize the FCC to repurpose those bands for competitive bidding spectrum license auctions, and require NTIA and other executive branch agencies to coordinate efforts to address incumbent user needs and technical complexities that will need to be addressed in order to bring those auctions to fruition. 

Congress Should Direct Repurposing of Specific Spectrum Bands for Commercial Use

Today, August 2, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on "The Future of Spectrum." Speakers testifying at the hearing spotlighted pressing wireless spectrum issues, including renewing the FCC's spectrum auction authority, repurposing more mid-band spectrum for commercial use, and ensuring better cooperation between agencies on spectrum policy. 

A key point made at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing was that renewal of the Commission's authority should be connected to Congressional directives that specific spectrum bands be repurposed and auctioned for private commercial use:

@CTIA Prez & CEO Meredith Attwell Baker @SenateCommerce hearing: Spectrum policy is out-of-balance in mid-band, with 2/3 held by govt. Lower 3 GHz, 7-8 GHz, and 4 GHz bands should be the immediate focus for maximizing amount of commercial licensed spectrum. #FutureofSpectrum

— Seth Cooper (@CooperFSF) August 2, 2022

Mandates by Congress regarding specific bands will ensure that the agencies take action and that the spectrum is actually repurposed. 

 

The Senate Commerce Committee hearing was particularly timely, as the ongoing 2.5 GHz band spectrum license auction (Auction #108) is the last near-term auction on the FCC's plate, and the House of Representatives passed the Spectrum Innovation Act (H.R. 7624) on July 27. As observed in my July 28 blog, the Spectrum Innovation Act would confer on the Commission an 18-month extension of its spectrum auction authority, which currently is set to expire later this year. The bill also would direct NTIA and FCC to examine and repurpose for public auction the next swath of spectrum in the lower 3 GHz band. Last week, Free State Foundation President Randolph May commended the House's passage of the bill, which is essential to replenishing the spectrum pipeline for next-generation wireless services.

Now it's the Senate's turn to pass legislation that will ensure that the future of spectrum will promote commercial wireless services, the American economy, and jobs. That legislation should extend the FCC's spectrum license auction authority and also mandate the repurposing of lower 3 GHz band as well as other specific bands for commercial use.