We live in the Golden Age of the internet. The cost of internet connectivity is at a historic low, and the Trump administration is only continuing to auction off more government-controlled broadband access to the private sector.
The Federal Communications Commission will soon vote on auctioning 160 megahertz of spectrum in the Upper C-Band next year. As demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and wireless data grows, expanding access to spectrum will help the United States stay competitive while keeping prices low.
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Affordable internet depends on the supply keeping pace with demand. Wireless service prices have already fallen 35% over the past five years, with the average unlimited plan costing about $55 a month. But if spectrum becomes scarce as the public uses more connected devices and AI-powered services, those prices could rise.
The Upper C-Band auction would expand 5G home broadband to about 440,000 more households and save consumers an estimated $8 billion on internet service. American wireless data traffic is expected to quadruple by 2031. More spectrum will help providers meet that demand with faster service and lower costs.
The auction also matters for American competitiveness. Mid-band spectrum, the wavelengths used for high-quality consumer and enterprise connectivity, is one of the few areas where the United States trails many of its rivals. The European Union plans to release another 700 MHz, while China plans to license 1,660 MHz for commercial use. Standing still would put U.S. networks at a disadvantage.
The Upper C-Band auction is only a start, but it is an important one. This administration began its push to sell off government spectrum with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, under which the FCC was specifically directed to auction at least 800 MHz of wireless spectrum. The additional spectrum from the Upper C-Band is expected to support millions of jobs in technology, infrastructure, and manufacturing while generating an estimated $416 billion in economic growth. Much of that growth will come from expanding AI and other data-intensive industries.
The gains will reach far beyond the telecommunications sector. Affordable broadband helps small businesses find new customers, manufacturers adopt modern tools, farmers improve productivity, and families choose from more providers competing for their business. In a world where internet access and telecommunications are integrated into everything down to your refrigerators, more efficient and cost-effective connectivity brings on compounding economic benefits to the entire population.
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Spectrum should not sit unused amid such high demand. Policymakers need to continue holding open, competitive auctions that put it to work for people. When companies compete for spectrum, consumers benefit through lower prices, better coverage, and faster service. That market-driven approach has helped make the U.S. a leader in digital innovation, and it should remain the basis of broadband policy.
The internet is now a basic infrastructure, as essential as roads or electricity. Meeting tomorrow’s demand means making more spectrum available today. Continuing to auction unused spectrum will strengthen the economy, help American technology stay ahead of global competitors, and keep internet service affordable for families and businesses.
Sam Raus is the David Boaz Resident Writing Fellow at Young Voices. Follow him on X: @SamRaus1.
