No end in sight for 5G spectrum squabbling

It looks like Congress will remain deadlocked over how to release spectrum for 5G. And that situation could push industry players to other, secondary spectrum sources. "This is a case where nobody really wins and everyone is unhappy," wrote Blair Levin, a policy adviser to New Street Research and a former high-level FCC official, in a note to investors regarding ongoing spectrum negotiations in Congress. However: "That unhappiness is unlikely to translate to legislation in the near-term," he added. At issue is legislation that could potentially reinstate the FCC's auction authority, which has been missing for more than a year. It could also pave the way for commercial operations—including 5G—in the valuable lower 3GHz band. According to Levin, the stalemate regarding the legislation will likely last until after the November presidential elections.