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Report
Feb 5, 2019
The Economic Impacts of Mid-Band Spectrum in the United States .
Summary of Key Findings:
The next generation of wireless technology (5G) represents a quantum leap forward in mobile communications, promising substantial increases in data speed, service quality, and network capacity. This new technology will rely on a much wider range of spectrum (from 600 MHz to millimeter wave) than current 4G LTE networks. To achieve this significant leap forward, two things need to happen: policymakers must reallocate spectrum for 5G uses and service providers will need to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in new infrastructure.
This study examines the economic impact of re-allocating 400 MHz of licensed mid-band spectrum between 3.45 GHz and 4.2 GHz for 5G networks. We conclude that wireless providers will invest in excess of $154 billion on infrastructure to deliver 5G services over this mid-band spectrum over a seven-year buildout period. This mid-band spectrum driven buildout will result in:
- $274 billion in additional GDP.
- 1.3 million new jobs, accounting for both direct and spillover effects.
