U.S. Spectrum Reforms Targeted to Support AI and Immersive Media

The push for spectrum reform highlights a looming infrastructure bottleneck for streaming and immersive media providers. As AI-driven video processing and AR applications scale, the current bifurcation of authority between the FCC and NTIA creates regulatory lag that stalls network densification. For the industry, this signals a shift toward a more complex, three-tier allocation model involving exclusive licenses, unlicensed bands, and dynamic sharing like the CBRS. Strategists should monitor whether federal agencies transition from 'clear and auction' methods to automated, database-driven sharing as the primary means of scaling wireless capacity. Keep a close eye on the 7.125–8.4 GHz segment as the next major battlefield for commercial licensing.

The debate over spectrum management comes at a critical juncture for U.S. wireless policy as the FCC works to restore its lapsed auction authority. Per Light Reading in March 2026, industry associations like CTIA have intensified lobbying for a concrete pipeline of exclusive-use mid-band spectrum, specifically targeting the 3.1-3.45 GHz and 7 GHz bands to compete with China’s aggressive 6G infrastructure rollout. The ongoing tension is underscored by the NTIA’s National Spectrum Strategy implementation, which focuses on dynamic sharing rather than total clearing, a move some carriers argue creates too much investment uncertainty for capital-intensive 5G-Advanced deployments. Further complicating the legislative landscape is the recent performance of the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) experiment. According to reports from New Street Research in early 2026, while CBRS enabled private LTE/5G expansion, the complexity of its Spectrum Access System (SAS) has led some major mobile operators to favor traditional exclusive licenses for wide-area reliability. This sentiment aligns with recent filings from satellite operators in the 12 GHz band, where companies like SpaceX and Dish continue to clash over terrestrial vs. orbital priority. Any future legislative fix will likely need to address these interference 'safeguards' while providing specific carve-outs for the high-capacity throughput required by generative AI workloads and 8K streaming VR headsets.