U.S. releases new 5G mid-band wireless spectrum auction

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Wednesday it has opened a tender in its latest mid-band spectrum auction to auction around 8,000 county-level licenses in the 2.5 GHz band in much of the rural U.S. to advance next-generation 5G wireless services.

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FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel noted on Friday that gaps in 5G coverage are well known, especially in rural America, and the auction is a unique opportunity to fill that gap, according to Reuters.

As the number of internet-connected devices has grown dramatically in recent years, the FCC has been auctioning off spectrum to help address the growing demand for wireless connectivity. The U.S. Congress also approved a $42.5 billion Department of Commerce appropriation in 2021 to expand the deployment of physical broadband in rural areas without access to high-speed service.