The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set out a plan to auction 160MHz of spectrum in the upper C-band by July 2027.

In an announcement yesterday, the US regulator said it has adopted rules to hold an auction that it notes clears the way for a harmonized 5G ‘super band.'

According to the FCC, the rules build on the lower C-band auction in President Trump’s first term.

The regulator noted that it will create a single, harmonized “super band” spanning 440 megahertz (3.70-4.14 GHz), which it claims to be "a gigantic swath of licensed, 5G-grade mid-band spectrum that no other industrialized country can boast."

As part of the planned auction, the FCC will auction 60 percent more spectrum than the 100MHz minimum required under law. This, it states, will raise tens of billions of dollars more for the US Treasury to support deficit reduction and national priorities.

"The lower C-band, which the FCC freed up during the previous Trump administration, brought 5G, fixed wireless, and other innovations," said Brendan Carr, FCC chairman.

He added that the harmonized band "will be the envy of the world."

"Freeing up this spectrum drives down prices, raises speeds, and enhances competition. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, America will once again lead the world in wireless. The One Big Beautiful Bill made certain that we will put this prime, mid-band spectrum to its best use through another major FCC auction," Carr said.

The FCC said the upper C-band auction will be made available through the auction of 3,248 new flexible-use spectrum licenses throughout the contiguous United States.

Carr also noted that the FCC will work closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure that C-band services can coexist with critical aviation safety systems.