On August 10, 2020, the White House announced plans to make 100 MHz of the 3.1 – 3.55 GHz mid-band spectrum available for commercial use. The plans include an auction for the spectrum expected to be held beginning December 2021.
5G Americas issued the following statement:
“We are pleased that the White House has led the Department of Defense and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to support commercial access in the upper 100 MHz of the 3.1-3.55 GHZ band, at full commercial power. Mid-band spectrum, including 3.45 -3.55 GHz, is important for the deployment of 5G in the United States. Many countries around the world have agreed on spectrum from 3.3 – 3.8 GHz to provide both capacity and coverage for 5G deployments. 5G Americas is encouraged that the White House is urging the Federal Communications Commission to issue a proposed rulemaking as soon as possible on licensed commercial access to the band, to auction more mid-band spectrum for 5G next year, so that Americans can realize the full potential of 5G services and applications.