Media Contact:
Greg Watson, (202) 418-0658 
greg.watson@fcc.gov 
 
For Immediate Release

CARR WELCOMES NEXT STEPS IN FCC’S WORK TO FREE UP THE 3.45 GHz BAND FOR 5G


WASHINGTON, DC, February 23, 2021—Today, the FCC announced that the agency will vote at its March 17, 2021 open meeting on an Order that would make 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band available for 5G.  FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr issued the following statement:

“In 2017, the Commission started the work necessary to ensure that America would have the mid-band spectrum necessary to power high-speed, 5G connections.  In 2018, we worked closely with NTIA and studied the opportunities for freeing up additional spectrum in the lower 3 GHz band.  Those efforts enabled us to identify this 100 MHz of prime, mid-band spectrum in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band as the most suitable for 5G on an expedited basis.  Flash forward to 2019 and we launched the rulemaking at the FCC that paved the way for next month’s St. Patrick’s Day vote. 

“I am proud of the legwork the FCC and our partners across the federal government have put in to open up this 100 MHz of mid-band spectrum, and I am pleased that the Commission will now vote on the steps needed to auction off these airwaves this year.  I look forward to reviewing the draft decision and working with my colleagues to ensure that it maximizes opportunities for 5G in the U.S., including by authorizing full power commercial operations.”


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Office of Commissioner Brendan Carr: (202) 418-2200
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/brendan-carr