GHz and GigaDollars
ARRL reported on continuing efforts to “counter the continuing threat to Amateur Radio’s secondary use of the 3 GHz band” in response to a “provision in the $3.5 Billion Budget Reconciliation Bill that would have required approximately 200 MHz of the 3.1-3.45 GHz band be reallocated to the use of 5G vendors.”
Meanwhile, FCC Auction 110, which has for sale 100 MHz of spectrum from the neighboring 3.45 to 3.55 GHz band, in the first round of bidding has generated $1B in bids. The total minimum reserve price for Auction 110 is $14.7B.
How about the ARRL getting more HF Frequencies in the 60 meter band and a 4 meter band for US hams and let the 5G companies have the 3 GHz. spectrum. Not many hams use that part of the band. I would think that getting more bandwidth on 60 meters and a 4 meter band for us VHF/UHF folks would be better.
I tend to agree. I would love an expanded 60 meter band, and 4 meters would be an interesting addition in the US. We are not going to win the battle against insatiable demand for mid-band microwave spectrum.