FCC Opens Airwaves for Faster Broadband in Key Frequencies
Published Date: 3/31/2026
Rule
Summary
The FCC is opening up the entire 896-901/935-940 MHz band for better broadband use starting April 30, 2026. Current license holders can choose from three new license types, including faster 5/5 megahertz broadband channels, making internet access faster and more flexible. This change helps businesses and communities get better wireless service without extra costs right away.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Relocation: When It’s Mandatory or Voluntary
Transition to 5/5 broadband uses a negotiation-based process. Mandatory relocation rights may be invoked in the 897.5-900.5/936.5-939.5 MHz broadband portion consistent with the 3/3 rules, including protections measured by site-channels and within 70 miles; but relocation in the narrowband segments (896-897.5/935-936.5 and 900.5-901/939.5-940 MHz) must be completely voluntary and mandatory relocation is prohibited for those segments. The county-by-county transition only proceeds where relevant parties reach agreements or eligibility thresholds are met.
Full 900 MHz Band Opens for Broadband
Starting April 30, 2026, the FCC allows broadband use across the entire 896-901/935-940 MHz band. If you are an existing 900 MHz license holder, you can now seek to deploy broadband across all ten megahertz instead of only part of the band.
5/5 License Eligibility and Transition Rules
To get a 5/5 MHz broadband license in a county, an applicant must meet three eligibility elements: (1) hold licenses for more than 50% of licensed 900 MHz spectrum in the county; (2) for the 897.5-900.5/936.5-939.5 MHz portion, hold a 3/3 license or control or protect at least 90% of site-channels in that portion and within 70 miles of the county boundary; and (3) for the 896-897.5/935-936.5 and 900.5-901/939.5-940 MHz narrowband segments, hold or reach agreements to clear or protect all covered incumbents in the county and within 70 miles. Applicants must file an Eligibility Certification and a Transition Plan and may include an FCC-certified frequency coordinator certification.
Anti-Windfall Rules and Treasury Payments
Prospective 5/5 broadband licensees must return their licensed 900 MHz SMR and B/ILT spectrum and any 3/3 broadband licenses for a county (up to ten megahertz total), or, if they cannot return ten megahertz, they must compensate the U.S. Treasury via an anti-windfall payment. The Commission reports that prior 3/3 anti-windfall payments have totaled over $11,400,000 for over 370 applications.
Three Licensing Options, County-by-County
For each county, the 900 MHz band may be used in one of three ways: (1) the legacy narrowband configuration across the band; (2) a 3/3 configuration with one paired 3 MHz broadband segment plus narrowband segments; or (3) full broadband with two paired 5/5 MHz channels across all ten megahertz. The county-by-county approach means deployments and conversions can differ from county to county.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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