Broadcasters brace for another C-band squeeze

Less than three years after broadcast and cable networks worked with satellite operators and technology vendors to vacate 300 MHz of C-band satellite spectrum long used to deliver their programming to local stations and cable headends, the television industry is again grappling with losing a major chunk of C-band spectrum to FCC auction so it can be repurposed for 5G wireless applications.

The first “C-band repack,” triggered by an FCC Report & Order in February 2020 and completed in summer 2023, cleared the C-band from 3.7 to 4 GHz and squeezed broadcasters’ distribution into the remaining 200 MHz from 4 to 4.2 GHz. ...

Now, as per the “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed by Congress last year, the FCC is due to auction by July 4, 2027, at least 100 MHz of upper C-band spectrum — and perhaps as much as 180 MHz — to wireless operators for 5G and 6G services. 

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