The Federal Communications Commission has approved proposed rules that would update the competitive bidding rules for the AWS-3 spectrum bands as part of efforts to bring unused 5G-grade spectrum to the marketplace.
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Reauctioning AWS-3 Spectrum Licenses
FCC said Thursday the notice of proposed rulemaking, or NPRM, seeking to update the bidding rules marks the initial step in reauctioning AWS-3 spectrum licenses in its inventory and represents its first set of proposed rules to auction wireless spectrum licenses for commercial use since 2020.
The commission will accept comments on the NPRM through the end of March and intends to auction licenses for the AWS-3 spectrum by June 23, 2026.
According to the FCC, the AWS-3 band covers the spectrum between 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz and 2155-2180 MHz.
Funding FCC’s National Security Initiative
The commission said the proceeds from the AWS-3 inventory auction will fund the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program.
Also known as “rip and replace,” the FCC program is a national security initiative that intends to eliminate Huawei and ZTE equipment from U.S. communications networks.
The Spectrum and Secure Technology and Innovation Act, which was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act in late December, allows the FCC to auction licenses for the AWS-3 spectrum and borrow up to $3.08 billion from the Department of the Treasury to fund its national security initiative.
The inclusion of the Supporting National Security With Spectrum Act in the 2025 NDAA is “not just for wireless leadership but for network security,” FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said in a statement.
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