FCC votes to approve new round of 5G auction: once reserved for the US military

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously to move forward with the next round of 5G auctions, the latest in a series of bids for mid-band spectrum aimed at balancing bandwidth and distance for 5G devices like the iPhone 12. The FCC voted 4-0 to approve the grant for the October auction. It will make the 5G mid-band band from 3.45GHz to 3.55GHz available for commercial use. The Department of Defense currently uses this mid-band spectrum for radar applications.

“The action we are taking will bring us one step closer to 5G service that is fast, secure, reliable, and most importantly, available across the country,” said Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

The iPhone 12 series, Apple's first 5G-enabled devices, was released in October 2020. The company is expected to add 5G support to its other mobile devices, including the iPad, in the coming months or years.

Wireless giants covet the mid-band spectrum because it offers the best balance between range and data. It can send and receive high-bandwidth signals over considerable distances.

Cellular operators see mid-band spectrum as valuable for the coming wave of automated vehicles, factories and homes equipped with 5G.

The three largest wireless carriers -- Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile -- lobbied for approval of a plan to break up the spectrum into fewer but larger chunks, arguing that allocating the auction into large areas would lead to greater investment and faster 5G deployment.

Cable companies, smaller wireless carriers and Google want the FCC to divide available spectrum by county, a move they say would attract a more diverse group of bidders.