More support is being thrown behind a plan to have the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction off mid-band spectrum for 5G use rather than allow satellite operators to conduct a private sale of an asset they received for free.
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., sent a letter to President Donald Trump on July 19 showing his support for an auction. He noted that Senate Appropriations Subcommittee members who heard from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on the situation expressed concern that the proposal by the C-Band Alliance (a group of satellite operators) would allow the satellite companies to reap billions of dollars in profits by selling the spectrum.