5G/6G Spectrum Strategy: Securing America’s Digital High Ground
I'm Ylli Bajraktari, President and CEO of the Special Competitive Studies Project. In this edition of our newsletter, we explore the critical juncture of U.S. wireless spectrum policy, analyzing its impact on America's leadership in 5G, 6G, and future wireless technologies, which are foundational to economic vitality and national security.
5G/6G Spectrum Strategy: Securing America’s Digital High Ground
The United States stands at a strategic inflection point in wireless spectrum policy. Decisions made today will define America’s leadership in fifth-generation (5G), sixth-generation (6G), and future generations of advanced wireless technologies. Spectrum is foundational to our economic vitality, technological advantage, and national security.
1. Spectrum Is Strategic Infrastructure
Wireless spectrum underpins all wireless technologies from phone calls and video streaming to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). But spectrum is a resource that is finite and contested. Both federal actors such as the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and private actors such as broadband providers and mobile network operators require spectrum. The International Telecommunication Union estimates network traffic could grow up to 100 times by 2030 compared to 2020. As demand intensifies and emerging technologies are more wireless intensive, federal authorities must carefully allocate and manage spectrum to balance commercial use, government operations, and national security priorities.
2. Economic Power and National Security
Each generational upgrade from fourth-generation (4G) to 5G to 6G represents a transformative technological leap. For consumers, 5G wireless broadband has introduced competition to traditional cable services, resulting in lower prices for home Internet. Faster bandwidth also revolutionizes enterprise applications. Ultra-reliable, low-latency networks power autonomous vehicles, precision agriculture, robotic surgery, and next-generation manufacturing. Boston Consulting Group estimates by 2030 the 5G economy will have contributed from $1.4 trillion to $1.7 trillion in US economic growth.
6G will scale this further with projected peaks of one terabit-per-second speeds (enough to approximately download 11 hours of 4K video in just one second) and sub-millisecond latency. These capabilities will be vital as the infrastructure for vast AI data processing, supporting complex AI operations and dense deployments of AI-powered sensors. The infrastructure we build now will shape tomorrow’s defense systems, healthcare delivery, and industrial innovation.
A substantial portion of this activity takes place within the mid-band spectrum, typically defined as ranging from 1 gigahertz (GHz) to 6 gigahertz (GHz). This band is considered 'waterfront property' for wireless systems because it offers an optimal balance of high-speed, low-latency connectivity over a wide area. Both private industry and federal agencies are eager to maximize their access to this valuable spectrum. DoD utilizes it for advanced radar and missile defense systems. Large-scale defense proposals such as the U.S. 'Golden Dome' missile defense will require even more spectrum. However, exclusive spectrum used by the DoD is unavailable for 5G or Wi-Fi use. Balancing the complementary needs of the DoD and commercial sectors presents a significant national strategic challenge.
3. Strategic Competition with China
China’s State Radio Regulation of China (SRRC) operates with centralized authority, enabling rapid spectrum allocation and integration across state and commercial actors. China is projected to allocate three times more mid-band spectrum for commercial use than the United States.
In contrast, the United States has a bifurcated system with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) governing all commercial, state, and local spectrum use, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) which manages spectrum for all federal agencies including the DoD. Although the United States’ divided system can better avoid conflicts of interests and balance commercial and federal interests, it also makes it more difficult to craft a cohesive national strategy. This is evidenced by the costly miscoordinations in the 5G rollout such as when the FCC was at odds with the FAA over potential interference with aircraft altimeters breaking down in interagency coordination. Concerns about Pentagon overreach into NTIA's authority further strain the possibility of a balanced spectrum policy.
4. A Narrowing Window of Opportunity
With the 6G standard being developed right now and commercial deployments anticipated by 2030, U.S. policy decisions today will define its technological leadership for the next generation. The United States cannot repeat missteps in its 5G rollout and allow China to become the dominant global provider of network equipment, forcing it into a costly game of catch-up while handing a competitor immense geopolitical leverage.
The nation leading 6G deployment will have the upper hand in setting global wireless standards, securing patent royalties and shaping industrial ecosystems. U.S. capability and innovation ensures standards reflect U.S. democratic principles, preventing Chinese telecommunication companies such as Huawei and ZTE from globally deploying their platforms at scale and mitigating the risk of the Chinese Communist Party utilizing them for surveillance.
5. Institutional Realignment and Legislative Progress
U.S. spectrum policy is hampered by fractured governance and disputes between federal and private spectrum stakeholders. For example, one point of contention is the “goldilock spectrum” range of 3.1-3.45 GHz with ideal speed and coverage that the DoD has exclusive access to and has estimated a $250 billion cost to fully migrate systems away. Although in past cases, federal relocation cost estimates have exceeded actual expenses, with spectrum auction proceeds covering the final costs.
The Spectrum Relocation Fund (SRF) compensates federal agencies for costs incurred when they vacate or share spectrum for commercial use. However, the law restricts agencies to maintaining only "comparable capabilities" to their pre-relocation systems. While it allows actions such as research and development to improve spectrum efficiency—so long as capabilities are not increased—it prohibits actual net improvements or the acquisition of superior equipment, even when such enhancements would be strategically beneficial for national security. This constraint may force federal agencies, such as the DoD, to purchase inferior equipment compared to what is available to comply with equal capabilities limitations. Such restrictive policies can lessen the capabilities of federal entities, as well as discourage them to fully cooperate with spectrum reallocation efforts and auctions as they perceive limited opportunities for essential technological advancement. It also reduces the agility of federal entities' ability to adapt to a quickly evolving technological environment.
The recently passed 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” broke the legislative gridlock on U.S. spectrum policy. It reinstates the FCC's spectrum auction authority, which expired in 2023 due to the failure of Congress to extend it before, thereby enabling the United States to allocate new commercial spectrum to meet the growing demand for wireless services.
The law also mandates that the FCC and NTIA identify 800 MHz of spectrum within the 1.3 GHz to 10.5 GHz range for auction, excluding the 3.1-3.45 GHz and 7.4-8.4 GHz bands currently utilized by the DoD. Lawmakers project that the FCC will generate at least $85 billion in revenue (although historically auction estimates differ from actual revenue). The bill also stipulates that the President has the authority to “modify or withdraw” spectrum bands slated for auction if deemed necessary for national security—giving the DoD an opportunity to safeguard its spectrum holdings.
This provision is hailed as a victory for the wireless industry that anticipates increased access to valuable mid-band spectrum. However, concerns exist among Wi-Fi and unlicensed mid-band spectrum users, who have not been excluded from auction consideration and will likely lose mid-band access reallocated for licensed use.
6. Strategic Recommendations
Amend the SRF to enable strategic investments for new capabilities for federal entities. These amendments should explicitly connect improvements to enhanced spectrum functionality, ensuring they are practical and address the equipment impacted by relocation. This forward-thinking approach would not only provide federal entities with more modern and effective equipment but also encourage more proactive participation in spectrum auctions. By permitting upgrades that truly enhance capabilities linked to new spectrum functions, these changes would incentivize federal agencies, such as the DoD and the FAA, to more actively engage in spectrum reallocation efforts. Ultimately, this would free up more much-needed spectrum while maintaining and even increasing national security.
Unlock Shared Use in 3.3–3.45 GHz Band. Establish a clear pathway for shared access to 100 to 150 megahertz of spectrum. Other countries demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing commercial spectrum down to 3.35 GHz without compromising military capabilities. Much of Europe has deployed 5G down to 3.4 GHz. This band in the “goldilock spectrum” is ideal for advanced wireless technology.
Boost U.S. Competitiveness in 6G by Investing in Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN), Virtualized Radio Access Networks (vRAN) and Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Technologies. 6G is projected to be more software, AI, and cloud-focused, which the United States holds a competitive edge. Investing in these technologies will secure supply chains, reduce dependence on foreign adversarial vendors, and ensure U.S. values are embedded in future architectures. Research and policy efforts should prioritize enhancing the security of emerging technologies, particularly those with inherent vulnerabilities such as O-RAN.
Establish a National 6G Spectrum Working Group to secure U.S. leadership in next-generation wireless networks. This body would bring together key agencies—including the NTIA, FCC, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Office of Science and Technology Policy—alongside leading industry stakeholders. Its primary mission would be to identify spectrum requirements for future 6G rollouts and develop a coordinated strategy for access and long-term spectrum management. By acting early and deliberately, the United States can shape global standard-setting processes and maintain its strategic edge in wireless innovation.
Expand experimental spectrum licenses and establish city-scale spectrum innovation zones to accelerate 6G research and development, enabling real-world testing of next-generation technologies across higher-frequency bands This initiative will enable the United States to close the critical gap between laboratory research and commercial deployment. The experience from these large-scale experiments will position the United States to take charge in upcoming global standards development and ensure it takes the lead to deploy 6G.
Conclusion:
The United States cannot repeat its 5G mistakes. Leading in 6G will define economic strength, technological edge, and strategic resilience. While Congress has taken important steps to return spectrum auction authority to the FCC and open more spectrum for private licensed use, these efforts must be matched with sustained coordination and long-term investment. To lead the future of wireless technology, the United States must act with urgency and unity across the public and private sectors.
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