US studying 2,786 megahertz of spectrum to fuel “next-generation” services

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Jaiz Anuar)

The Biden administration is studying 2,786 megahertz of spectrum that could be reallocated for purposes including wireless broadband networks, satellites, and drones, the White House said today. Some of the spectrum bands were already being investigated by federal agencies, though inclusion in the updated national strategy may speed up those processes.

“These spectrum bands are a mix of Federal and shared Federal/non-Federal bands—with an emphasis on mid-band frequencies,” the new National Spectrum Strategy says. The bands “will be studied for a variety of uses, including terrestrial wireless broadband, innovative space services, and unmanned aviation and other autonomous vehicle operations.”

The plan details “five spectrum bands meriting in-depth study in the near term,” saying they could be useful for “expanded governmental and non-governmental use for an array of advanced, next-generation applications and services.”