By Viet Nguyen, President, 5G Americas – February 24, 2025
America stands at a pivotal juncture in broadband competition. With the launch of the “End the Cableopoly” campaign, 5G Americas has joined CTIA and other industry leaders in advocating for expanded access to licensed spectrum, aiming to enhance home broadband choices for millions of Americans. This coalition responds to a pressing reality: for too long, traditional cable providers have operated with limited competition, leaving consumers—especially in rural and underserved communities—with inadequate service and little choice.
The rise of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), often referred to in the consumer market as ‘5G Home Broadband’, is disrupting this landscape. Backed by hundreds of billions in wireless infrastructure investments, 5G FWA is rapidly becoming the broadband option of choice. In the past three years, 99% of net new broadband subscribers have chosen 5G services over cable, drawn by competitive features, reliable performance, and ease of installation – according to studies from S&P Global and individual investor releases. In 2023 alone, 5G Fixed Wireless Access accounted for 104% of all US net broadband additions, making up for cable losses. A 2024 survey from Ericsson discovered 7 out of 10 households with 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) choose it as a full replacement for previously used connectivity.
Yet, as this technology gains ground, the cable industry has launched extensive lobbying efforts aimed at restricting wireless providers’ access to the spectrum needed to expand 5G services. This resistance threatens to stall broadband competition and limit consumer choice. This activity is occurring despite, and perhaps because of, 5G Home Broadband’s overwhelming success with US consumers, who gave it their highest satisfaction, according to JD Power in 2024. Therefore, ensuring that Americans have meaningful alternatives to the entrenched cable monopolies requires decisive action on spectrum allocation.
Spectrum is the lifeblood of wireless connectivity. The U.S., however, is at a disadvantage compared to other leading global markets, ranking only 13th out of 15, in terms of available licensed mid-band spectrum, which is essential for delivering high-capacity and wide-coverage 5G services. Without new allocations, the U.S. risks falling further behind, with a projected deficit of 520 MHz in mid-band spectrum relative to top global markets by 2027. This shortfall could impede the continued expansion of 5G FWA, which plays a critical role in bridging the digital divide.
Mid-band spectrum, spanning 1 GHz to 6 GHz, offers the optimal balance between coverage and capacity, making it ideal for both urban and rural deployments. For instance, the C-band (3.7–3.98 GHz) and 3.45 GHz bands have already shown success in enhancing 5G networks, yet the U.S. needs a robust pipeline of additional spectrum bands to sustain this progress. Emerging opportunities in the 7–8 GHz range could further support next-generation wireless services, but regulatory action is needed to make these bands available for commercial use.
With the growing demand and popularity of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) continuing to explode, some opponents have argued instead that more spectrum sharing should take place. 5G Americas understands this. We realize spectrum is a finite resource and have presented our thoughts on both the opportunities and challenges of spectrum sharing as a technology. In short, the complexities of spectrum sharing—while valuable in certain contexts—cannot fully substitute for the benefits of licensed, full-power spectrum access. Licensed spectrum ensures reliable service quality and incentivizes the significant investments necessary to build nationwide networks. Sharing arrangements, though useful, often impose technical limitations that can hamper network performance and increase deployment costs.
Expanding access to licensed mid-band spectrum is not just about enhancing competition; it’s about meeting the growing demands of modern life. From telehealth and remote learning to smart home technologies and future innovations, Americans rely on robust broadband connectivity. 5G FWA provides a viable, cost-effective solution to reach areas where laying traditional fiber or cable is economically prohibitive. This is especially vital for rural communities, where nearly 20% of new 5G home broadband users are accessing high-speed internet for the first time.
The stakes are high. Without timely action to allocate more spectrum for 5G, the U.S. risks ceding its leadership in wireless innovation and leaving millions of Americans without better broadband options. Policymakers must prioritize fair and efficient spectrum policies that support competition and consumer choice. Ending the “Cableopoly” means ensuring that all Americans, regardless of where they live, have access to high-quality, affordable broadband.
By joining this coalition, 5G Americas is committed to advocating for the spectrum resources necessary to fuel the next wave of wireless innovation. The future of American broadband competition depends on it.
Learn more about the coalition: End Cable Monopoly – Spectrum For Competition
