The Federal Communications Commission will vote this month on a proposal to auction 25 megahertz of spectrum spanning the 1675-1695 MHz and 2020-2025 MHz bands, opening the airwaves to terrestrial 5G, direct-to-device satellite service, or both.

Chairman Brendan Carr put forward the item, which would seek comment rather than finalize auction rules, according to an agency release dated October 7, 2026. The vote is one of multiple wireless proposals on the FCC's slate this month that target more spectrum for direct-to-device satellite connectivity.

The 25-megahertz package is modest by recent auction standards, but its significance lies in the dual-use framing: bidders could deploy conventional terrestrial 5G networks, satellite links that connect directly to ordinary handsets, or a hybrid of the two within the same frequencies.

Why does the 1675-1695 MHz band matter?

The lower segment of the proposed auction range sits adjacent to spectrum long associated with meteorological and federal data operations, making any reallocation a test of how the FCC balances commercial wireless demand against incumbent users. The agency has not detailed in the release how it plans to handle displacement or sharing arrangements, and the notice-and-comment process will give stakeholders room to contest those questions.

The upper segment, 2020-2025 MHz, forms part of the band plan territory near spectrum already earmarked for next-generation wireless use. Pairing the two ranges in a single proceeding suggests the FCC wants flexibility to award contiguous or near-contiguous holdings to whichever use case — terrestrial or satellite — bids highest.

What changes for direct-to-device players?

Direct-to-device service has moved from demonstration projects to commercial offerings in recent years, with satellite operators partnering with carriers to deliver text messaging and, gradually, data services to standard smartphones. A dedicated auction tranche that explicitly permits satellite use would give those operators a path to licensed spectrum rather than reliance on carrier partnerships or secondary-market leases.

The proposal also signals that the FCC views direct-to-device as a mainstream wireless category, not a niche. By allowing bidders to mix terrestrial 5G and satellite deployments in the same bands, the commission could encourage hybrid coverage models in rural and hard-to-reach areas where standalone tower builds are uneconomic.

What happens next?

Because the item seeks comment, the vote would launch a proceeding rather than set a sale date. Interested parties — carriers, satellite operators, federal incumbents and equipment makers — would file arguments on auction structure, licensing geography, and technical rules for the two bands before the FCC drafts final bidding procedures.

The commission has not specified a timeline for the comment window or the auction itself in its release. The outcome of this month's vote will determine whether the 25-megahertz package proceeds toward a sale and how quickly direct-to-device satellite operators can secure exclusive access to mid-band airwaves.