FCC votes to modernize direct-to-device spectrum rules and auction 25 MHz

This is a new development in a story we reported earlier: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon petition FCC to exclude mid-band satellite spectrum.

The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, to begin modernizing rules for sharing spectrum between satellite and ground networks and to propose auctioning 25 MHz of mid-band airwaves. The two actions came at the same FCC open meeting and support emerging satellite-to-phone connectivity by opening spectrum to satellite and terrestrial providers.

The proposed auction covers 25 MHz across the 1,675-1,695 MHz and 2,020-2,025 MHz bands, airwaves the sources describe as typically used for weather-related data and federal space operations. The FCC wants the spectrum available for direct-to-device operations, flexible-use terrestrial networks such as 5G, or hybrid networks.

Under the notice, the 1,675–1,695 MHz band would move to a co-primary basis for commercial fixed and mobile use while also receiving a secondary allocation without interference protection for mobile satellite operations offering domestic supplemental coverage from space. A secondary supplemental coverage from space allocation would also be added in the 2,020–2,025 MHz band.

The rulemaking aims to expand supplemental coverage from space from five bands to 13 bands and to free up 482 more megahertz for those services. The expansion builds on the 2024 supplemental coverage from space framework, which was the first of its kind and allowed satellite operators to use mobile spectrum for direct-to-device coverage.

The proceeding sits under GN Docket Nos. 26-281 and 23-65, advancing previous regulatory decisions including approval of flexible spectrum frameworks finalized earlier in 2026.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the rules adopted in 2024 were already outdated despite their recent adoption, and he tied the changes to the agency’s drive to reduce regulation and expand direct-to-device service. Carr cited $45 billion in transaction volume over the last year connected to direct-to-device spectrum deals involving SpaceX/EchoStar, Amazon/Globalstar, and Rocket Lab/Iridium.

Carr said the agency expects significant bidding for the 25 MHz because comparable direct-to-device airwaves are fetching tens of billions of dollars in secondary-market sales today. The agency intends to open the auction to a broad range of connectivity providers, including 5G and 6G operators, direct-to-device providers, and hybrid networks.

“The FCC intends to open this auction to a broad range of connectivity providers” – Brendan Carr The agency is asking for comment on dropping certain conditions, among them rules about geographically independent areas and leases for supplemental coverage from space. The Satellite Industry Association praised the FCC for its efforts to increase spectrum for supplemental coverage from space and update the regulatory framework.

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon were among the large American wireless carriers that submitted petitions earlier in the week seeking to protect 290 megahertz in the 2.5 GHz and 3.45 GHz bands from satellite operations. The carriers warned that uncoordinated space-based downlinks could raise ground noise levels and cause time-division duplex frame interference on terrestrial cellular sites.

Under the proposal, consumer earth stations that communicate with space systems would use a license-by-rule process instead of facing individual equipment certification requirements for standard handsets. The change would replace individual equipment certification requirements for standard handsets with a simpler licensing path.

After the notice is published in the Federal Register, the agency will open a 60-day public comment period to review technical information about aggregate interference modeling and rules for carrier coordination. This comment period is the next procedural step after the Oct. 29 vote. The comment period will examine technical information about aggregate interference modeling and rules for carrier coordination.

The vote comes after a $3.5 billion sale of AWS-3 inventory spectrum and ahead of a planned 160 MHz Upper C-band auction scheduled for July 2027. The AWS-3 sale generated $3.5 billion, and the Upper C-band auction is set to offer 160 MHz in July 2027.

The current approach builds on a 2019 proposal that sought to divide the 1,675–1,680 MHz segment between existing federal users and commercial wireless companies. This is part of the regulatory history of the 1,675-1,695 MHz band. The 2019 plan sought to divide the 1,675–1,680 MHz segment between existing federal users and commercial wireless companies.

The commission also voted to remove barriers that had stopped robotic aircraft from using 50 MHz of spectrum in the 800-MHz low band. The restriction originated in a 1991 ban on airborne use meant to reduce interference to ground networks from phones on aircraft, and the agency said current wireless technology prevents interference, making the rule unnecessary for drones.