Washington – September 18, 2026 -- CTIA, the trade group representing U.S. wireless carriers, is pressing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to launch a study of the 4 GHz band within 60 days, calling it a cornerstone for securing American wireless and AI leadership ahead of the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027 (WRC-27).
CTIA Wants NTIA Study Launched Within 60 Days
A new CTIA report identifies the 4 GHz band as capable of delivering 400 megahertz of contiguous spectrum, aligning with existing 5G and 6G standards. The band sits alongside Upper C-Band, 2.7 GHz and 7 GHz in the spectrum pipeline already flagged by the Administration and Congress. "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," said Ajit Pai, President and CEO of CTIA.
Wireless Traffic Grew 20% in a Year as $1.4 Trillion in Growth Sits at Risk
U.S. wireless demand rose 20% over the past year, a trend CTIA says AI applications will accelerate further. Analysts project domestic networks will require 820 additional megahertz of mid-band spectrum, and Accenture has warned that without it, nearly one-third of future demand could go unmet. CTIA cites an estimated $1.4 trillion in economic growth as being at risk if that spectrum gap is not closed.
Band Offers 500 MHz Under Study and an Established Device Ecosystem
More than 500 megahertz of the 4 GHz band is currently under study, positioning it as one of the few realistic sources of the large, contiguous channels needed for AI-driven applications such as sensing and industrial automation. The band already benefits from a global commercial ecosystem, including roughly 1,500 compatible devices from manufacturers such as Apple, Google and Samsung. CTIA's analysis of existing government use of the band indicates that tools such as repacking, retuning or coordination could free up commercial access without disrupting federal missions.
China's Push for Licensed 6 GHz Spectrum Raises Stakes for U.S. Alternative
CTIA notes that China is pushing other countries to assign the full 6 GHz band to licensed use, a band the United States has entirely reserved for unlicensed operations. The 4 GHz band, already supported in more than 50 countries, offers Washington a competing option to build ahead of WRC-27 negotiations. CTIA argues that moving on the band now would give U.S. regulators time to build international backing before key global spectrum decisions are finalized.