On October 8, 2026, the FCC released a draft Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) proposing to reallocate and auction the 1675–1695 MHz and 2020–2025 MHz bands for flexible commercial use. The draft, which has been circulated for consideration at the FCC’s October 29, 2026 Open Meeting and remains subject to change, proposes rules that could lead to an auction of 25 megahertz of mid-band spectrum for flexible-use terrestrial networks, direct-to-device (D2D) operations, or both.
The draft FNPRM notes that NTIA is still studying whether the 1680–1695 MHz band, which currently includes federal use allocations, can be repurposed.
Some key provisions of the proposed rules set out in the draft FNPRM are summarized below.
- Reallocation. The FNPRM would reallocate the 1675–1695 MHz band for commercial fixed and mobile terrestrial use on a co-primary basis with federal weather satellite operations, and would add a secondary mobile-satellite allocation for supplemental coverage from space in both bands to enable D2D usage. It seeks comment on any coordination and interference protection measures that might be required to protect incumbent operations.
- Band Plan. The proposed band plan consists of two unpaired 10-megahertz blocks (1675–1685 MHz and 1685–1695 MHz) and one unpaired 5-megahertz block (2020–2025 MHz). The Commission also seeks comment on alternative approaches of (a) dividing the spectrum into five unpaired 5-megahertz blocks or (b) pairing 1685–1695 MHz with 2020–2025 MHz. The spectrum could be used for uplink, downlink, or time-division duplexing (TDD).
- Part 27 Licensing Framework.Under the proposed rules, licenses would carry a 15-year term and open eligibility, with no pre-auction cap on how much spectrum any bidder may acquire. The Commission proposes geographic-area licensing but does not designate an area size, seeking comment on nationwide, regional, and PEA licensing.
- Buildout Obligations. Under the proposed rules, terrestrial licensees would have to serve 45% of the population in each license area at an interim benchmark and 80% at a final benchmark, measured from license grant. Missing the final benchmark would automatically terminate the license, with the spectrum returned to auction and the former licensee barred from reacquiring it. D2D operators would not be subject to these terrestrial benchmarks, though the Commission asks whether the requirements proposed in its companion D2D proceeding should apply.
- Technical Rules and Federal Coordination. Under the proposed rules, licensees could use either band for uplink, downlink, or TDD without restriction, subject to specified out-of-band emissions limits. Commercial deployment near four NOAA data collection sites would require coordination with NTIA, while remaining sites would transition to a non-spectrum-based alternative distribution system.
- Auction Design. The FNPRM proposes that any auction would be carried out under the Part 1 rules with small-business and rural bidding credits. Noting that some bidders may seek nationwide or regional licenses to provide broad-ranging D2D service while others may want smaller areas such as PEAs, the Commission seeks comment on bundling licenses into larger products or accepting all-or-nothing nationwide package bids.