ATC
FCC’s Upper C-band Proposal Seeks Aviation Input
FCC directed to auction off spectrum in upper C-band
Radio tower with guy wires
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The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has posted a draft notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on its previously disclosed plan to auction up to 180 MHz of spectrum in the 3.98 to 4.2 GHz (the upper C-band) for next-gen wireless services. Unlike past rulemaking on lower C-band expansion that caused interference with radio altimeters, comments on this NPRM are expressively being sought from the aviation community.

Radio altimeters operate in the adjacent 4.2- to 4.4-GHz band. The FCC acknowledged its failure in previous frequency band expansions to address adjacent band inequities. Consequently, we “will necessitate broad-based and proactive engagement from relevant industry stakeholders, as well as our federal partners,” including the FAA.