FCC Moves to Expand 900 MHz Broadband to 10 MHz, Boosting Utility Connectivity
Event summary
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced a vote on February 18, 2026, to expand the 900 MHz broadband segment from 6 MHz to 10 MHz.
- The expansion follows a joint petition filed by Anterix and nine utility companies seeking broader bandwidth for private LTE deployments.
- Anterix has already enabled private LTE deployments with seven utilities across fifteen states using the 6 MHz allocation.
- The FCC's Report and Order aims to enhance grid security, reliability, and resilience for critical infrastructure providers.
The big picture
The FCC's proposed expansion of the 900 MHz broadband segment to 10 MHz is a strategic move to enhance the capabilities of private LTE networks for utilities and critical infrastructure providers. This aligns with broader industry trends toward grid modernization and the increasing demand for secure, wide-area wireless networks. The expansion builds on the FCC's 2020 action establishing the 6 MHz broadband allocation, which has already facilitated private LTE deployments across multiple states.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Approval
- Whether the FCC's Report and Order will be approved by the required majority of Commissioners on February 18, 2026.
- Commercialization Pace
- The pace at which Anterix can commercialize its expanded spectrum assets to utility and critical infrastructure customers.
- Market Impact
- How the expansion of the 900 MHz broadband segment will affect the broader market for private wireless networks.
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