Biden's new spectrum deal may irritate 5G operators

A contentious battle over spectrum between the US Commerce Department and the US Department of Defense (DoD) may have finally come to an end. But the US wireless industry might not be pleased at the outcome. However, the contours of that new agreement among agencies within the Biden administration are not clear. It's also unclear whether Congress will be able to pass any legislation built on the deal. At issue is the Spectrum and National Security Act of 2024, introduced in April by Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA). Broadly, the legislation seeks to reinstate the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) auction authority, clarify the nation's approach to spectrum management, fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and add more money to the FCC's rip-and-replace program. The new agreement likely paves the way for spectrum sharing in bands including the lower 3GHz. That would please the US cable industry but represent a blow to lobbying efforts by the US wireless industry, led by its trade association CTIA.