Technology
Spectrum
The NTIA says OMB’s updated guidance allows government agencies to complete critical tasks while the FCC simultaneously begins its auction preparations.
By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that the White House has issued new guidance to streamline how federal wireless spectrum is repurposed for commercial 6G use, clearing the way for multiple spectrum auctions starting in 2028.
Obama-era guidance, rescinded by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Sept. 10, previously prevented the NTIA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from working in parallel to study and prepare federal spectrum for auction.
Under the previous framework, early preparation by the FCC automatically halted federal agency funding, creating what telecom officials termed “the Spectrum Relocation Fund Gap,” according to the NTIA.
“Now the Trump Administration is taking a decisive step to secure 6G leadership by significantly closing that gap and allowing band studies and FCC auction preparations to proceed simultaneously,” said NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth.
Now, the NTIA says OMB’s updated guidance allows government agencies to maintain critical research, development, and procurement funding while the FCC simultaneously begins its auction preparations.
The regulatory change supports a mandate established by Congress last year requiring the NTIA and the FCC to identify 800 megahertz of spectrum for commercial mobile wireless services over five years, including 500 megahertz in the 1.3 to 10.5 GHz range. The NTIA says they’re currently conducting four simultaneous repurposing studies across the 1.6 GHz, 2.7 GHz, 4.4 GHz, and 7 GHz federal bands.
The NTIA and FCC are coordinating to hold as many as five spectrum auctions by the end of 2028, the NTIA said.
