FCC seeks $100bn+ from spectrum sales
September 21, 2026

By Chris Forrester



Brendan Carr, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) chairman has reportedly indicated the agency expects “to raise more than $100 billion (€87.1bn) in funds from a series of planned spectrum auctions over the next two years”.

Carr’s comments were reported by Reuters and follow the FCC’s decision to auction 160 MHz of C-band spectrum reallocated from the satellite industry.


Carr has outlined plans for three further auctions following the C-band sale, with a goal of completing them all by end-2028.

He said there is broader interest in spectrum beyond telcos, indicating the upcoming auctions would generate fresh competition.

“We’re seeing real response in the market in ways that we didn’t see just a couple of years ago,” he is quoted as saying. “It’s more competition. It drives prices down for consumers. It raises money for the Treasury.”

The FCC is preparing to vote on a move to release spectrum for the satellite industry, along with proposed modernisation of rules governing ultra-wideband technology.

The FCC-organised auction will take place by June 2027.