The 4GHz band is key to securing U.S. wireless and AI leadership, according to a new report released by CTIA, the wireless industry association.
Launching an NTIA band study in the next 60 days can strengthen America’s ability to shape global 6G discussions at WRC-27 and pave the way to identification during this Administration.
As AI traffic spikes and 6G moves from concept to reality, the United States will need new, large, contiguous blocks of full-power spectrum. The 4 GHz band is a cornerstone of the spectrum pipeline identified by the Administration and Congress, alongside Upper C-Band, 2.7 GHz, and 7 GHz. It is a prime opportunity because of its alignment with existing 5G and 6G standards and its potential to deliver 400 megahertz critical for future advanced network capabilities.
“The 4 GHz band is a unique opportunity to strengthen America’s wireless future,” said Ajit Pai, President and CEO, CTIA. “Beginning work this fall is our best chance at freeing up the spectrum needed to meet surging AI demand, fuel innovation, expand access to affordable broadband, and reassert America’s global wireless leadership.”
Wireless demand is surging, growing 20% in the last year alone, and AI will only accelerate that trend. Analysts project U.S. networks will need 820 megahertz of additional mid-band spectrum, and Accenture warns that without it, nearly one-third of future demand could go unmet, threatening America’s AI and 6G leadership and putting an estimated $1.4 trillion in economic growth at risk.
Pai says the 4 GHz band is a prime candidate to close this gap:
- Ideal Mid-Band Spectrum. The 4 GHz band provides an ideal balance of coverage and capacity, allowing operators to deliver high-performance wireless service, expand home broadband offerings and support emerging AI applications.
- Large, Contiguous Channels. Future AI innovations, such as sensing and industrial automation, require wide channels. With more than 500 MHz under study, the 4 GHz band offers one of the few realistic opportunities to address this need.
- Established Commercial Ecosystem. The 4 GHz band benefits from an established global ecosystem which can reduce deployment costs, including 1,500 compatible devices such as smartphones from Apple, Google and Samsung.
- Preserves Critical Government Missions. Analysis of existing band use shows that well-established tools, such as repacking, retuning, or coordination, can free up commercial opportunities without risking government missions.
Moving forward with a 4GHz study this fall is also critical to securing U.S. 6G leadership, Pai says. As China pushes other countries toward assigning the full 6 GHz to licensed, a band the United States has entirely assigned to unlicensed use, 4 GHz offers a compelling alternative as it is already supported in more than 50 countries. Advancing the band now will give the United States time to build further international support for the band ahead of key spectrum decisions at WRC-27.
