FCC mmWave Spectrum Licensing Landscape
The FCC has auctioned millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum across five key bands to support 5G deployment in the United States. These high-frequency bands—ranging from 24 GHz to 47 GHz—offer massive bandwidth capacity critical for ultra-fast wireless connectivity, fixed wireless access, and dense urban deployments.
Key Auction History
| Auction | Band | Year | Total Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auction 101 | 28 GHz | 2019 | $702.6M |
| Auction 102 | 24 GHz | 2019 | $2.02B |
| Auction 103 | 37/39/47 GHz | 2020 | $7.56B |
Spectrum Holdings Concentration
The mmWave landscape is heavily concentrated among a few major carriers. Verizon holds the dominant position with approximately 2,024 MHz of mmWave spectrum—nearly double AT&T's 1,040 MHz average nationwide depth. Verizon's position was built through both auction wins and strategic acquisitions of XO Communications (2016) and Straight Path Communications (2017), which provided extensive legacy 28 GHz and 39 GHz holdings.
AT&T significantly expanded its mmWave portfolio through Auction 103, increasing its 39 GHz holdings by 102% to 786 MHz, complemented by 254 MHz of 24 GHz spectrum across the top 50 markets.
Secondary Market and License Returns
The mmWave spectrum secondary market has seen notable activity. T-Mobile returned over 500 28 GHz licenses to the FCC, deeming deployment in those markets "not feasible." Meanwhile, Verizon sold some 39 GHz licenses to fixed wireless provider GeoLinks, signaling that not all acquired spectrum will be deployed by major carriers. EchoStar (formerly Dish Network) transferred its mmWave portfolio—spanning 24, 28, 37, and 47 GHz—to a subsidiary, raising questions about its long-term deployment strategy.
Licensing Structure
- 28 GHz
- County-sized geographic licenses, making them suitable for targeted urban deployments
- 24 GHz, 37 GHz, 39 GHz, 47 GHz
- Partial Economic Area (PEA) licenses, covering broader regional footprints
All mmWave licenses fall under the UMFUS (Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service) radio service code UU, allowing licensees flexibility in deploying either mobile or fixed services.