FCC Announces Start of Upper C-Band Auction on April 27, 2027

Harmonized 440 Megahertz, 5G Super Band Will Unlock Billions of Dollars in Investment and Innovation

The Federal Communications Commission adopted the final schedule and formal procedures for the April 2027 auction of 160 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.98–4.14 GHz portion of the Upper C-band, also known as Auction 115. This auction will unify a gigantic swath of C-band spectrum—including 280 megahertz of the Lower C-band successfully auctioned in 2020—to create a harmonized “super band” spanning 440 megahertz (3.70-4.14 GHz).

With today’s announcement, the FCC continues its work to exceed Congress’s baseline requirements to transform the Upper C-band as a platform for mid-band innovation. The Commission will auction 160 megahertz of the Upper C-band, more than 150% of the 100 megahertz required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. And by starting the auction in April 2027, the Commission remains on track to complete the auction by the legislative deadline of July 4, 2027.

Chairman Brendan Carr issued the following statement:

“President Trump has made clear that America will lead the world in next-gen connectivity, and the FCC’s talented teams are bringing the Upper C-band from idea to auction to market in record time. Thanks to their tireless efforts, the FCC is poised to complete one of the most significant spectrum auctions in U.S. history—on time, on budget, and with no surprises. This is a big deal. With this auction, we are establishing a super band, an enormous swath of contiguous mid-band spectrum for 5G and 6G services that no other industrialized country can boast. And by prioritizing speed, competence, and execution, the FCC is unlocking billions of dollars of investment and unleashing connectivity years sooners than originally expected. Our spectrum abundance agenda continues to fuel the American economy by ensuring cutting edge industries from space to IoT, and 5G to drones, have the wireless resources they need to grow, innovate, and excel.”

Additional Background Information:

The procedures Public Notice released today by the FCC’s Office of Economics and Analytics and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau signals that the FCC has reached yet another milestone on the road to the Upper C-band auction next spring. This progress ensures that the Upper C-band can be lit up for most Americans before the end of 2030—faster than originally expected.

Today’s Public Notice provides the following dates and deadlines for Auction 115:

· Auction Application Tutorial Available – No later than December 11, 2026

· Short-Form Application Filing Window Opens – January 6, 2027, 12:00 p.m. ET

· Short-Form Application Filing Window Deadline – January 20, 2027, 6:00 p.m. ET

· Upfront Payments – March 18, 2027, 6:00 p.m. ET

· Bidding Tutorial Available – No later than April 5, 2027

· Mock Auction – April 21, 2027

· Auction Bidding Begins – April 27, 2027

Next year’s Upper C-band auction will make available 3,248 new flexible-use spectrum licenses throughout the contiguous United States. The FCC’s Upper C-band service rules, adopted last July, allow winning bidders to begin to offer wireless services in the Upper C-band starting in December 2030 for the top-75 markets in the contiguous United States, and in any remaining markets starting July 2031. This puts America on a path towards massive gains that could result in at least $422 billion in GDP, 2.4 million new jobs, and $621 billion in consumer surplus by freeing up additional spectrum.

The FCC’s rules for the use of this spectrum carefully accommodate satellite and aviation stakeholders in a financially responsible manner that incentivizes a fast transition to 5G in the Upper C-band. Through close and synchronized collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the FCC’s rules ensure a successful coexistence environment for critical aviation safety systems in the adjacent band for many decades to come.