US President Donald Trump took to his social media site to strongly advocate for pending legislation to auction off 600MHz of spectrum, which signalled a key element of his telecommunications policy.
“We must maintain our status as the worldwide leader in WiFi, 5G, and 6G, connecting every American to the World’s BEST Networks, while also keeping everyone safe” Trump wrote yesterday (20 May) on his Truth Social media platform. “We can do both at the same time. Bottom line, I am going to free up plenty of SPECTRUM for auction, so Congress must put 600MHz in “THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.”
If the bill passes congress and is signed by Trump, the spectrum auctions will require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to identify 600MHz of spectrum for auction over two years.
The telecommunications industry has been clamouring for more spectrum ever since the FCC lost its authority to conduct auctions in 2023.
Operators and industry heavyweights are advocating for the auction of more full-licenced spectrum, arguing the US is falling behind other countries.
Senator Marsha Blackburn posted on Facebook the spectrum auctions could raise $200 billion, but Roger Entner, founder and analyst at Recon Analytics, told Mobile World Live the amount remains to be seen.
Entner stated President Trump is also personally making sure the Department of Defense is finding a way to vacate lightly used spectrum within the next two years.
“When the President sets the agenda and tells people what to do then things happen,” he explained. “The spectrum pipeline is happening, and auction authority is being restored and for the benefit of all Americans.”
Industry association CTIA president and CEO Ajit Pai urged congress to swiftly pass the bill.
“The critical spectrum and tax provisions in this legislation will allow the wireless industry to invest, create jobs, propel economic growth, and secure America’s edge in innovation,” stated Pai, who is the former chair of the FCC during Trump’s first administration.
The 1,116-page bill is currently awaiting a final vote in the US House of Representatives before moving to the Senate, but members of Trump’s own political party are opposed to some of the provisions.