Thread by @kerpen

Great overview in @WSJ: Internal squabbling over access to wireless spectrum could cost the U.S. dearly in the 5G race with China wsj.com/articles/u-s-g…

Spectrum is a massive economic and geostrategic opportunity and challenge.

And the mid-band issue is now at a massive inflection point.

The great @AjitPaiFCC has his priorities exactly right on this.

The first two points are key. As much mid-band as quickly as possible. Because otherwise China deploys 5G first and sets the de facto global standards. And an up $18B hit to consumers for a two year delay per @WillRinehart.
americanactionforum.org/insight/analyz…

Now the satellite company incumbents are willing sellers and the telcos are willing buyers. So a deal - most importantly, a quick deal - should be doable.

Some taxpayer groups I respect have disagreed and said the money should go to the Treasury instead.

Politicians who would get to spend the $$$ love that idea of course!

But if government grabs all the cash the satellite companies would fight tooth and nail to keep what they have.

It would take years and years and China would own 5G like the U.S. owned 4G.

Critics have extracted major concessions, with the latest proposal now clearing 100 MHz in 18 months and 300 MHz in 36 months and a promise of a significant contribution of auction proceeds back to the government.

There are also inherent efficiency benefits of a private sale versus having government run the whole thing, as the smart @lawandeconomics economists have concluded:
fedsoc.org/commentary/blo…

So I think @AjitPaiFCC needs to tune out all the noise to derail this deal and delay action, likely for years. Free up the C Band spectrum for 5G asap.

(And he also needs to stop playing nice-nice with DOT and get 5.9GHz open to WiFi, which also needs spectrum to keep improving.)