In an era where bipartisan victories are as rare as unicorns, renewing the FCC's spectrum auction authority should be a political no-brainer—right up there with supporting veterans or hugging puppies. And yet, for over two years, Congress has done what it often does best: nothing.

When the FCC’s authority to auction wireless spectrum expired in March 2023, there was bipartisan agreement that letting it lapse was a mistake. Yet, despite repeated proclamations about the urgency to act, lawmakers have continued to punt the issue down the road. The result? The U.S. wireless industry remains in limbo, and crucial programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)—which could have been revived through the same legislative vehicle—have withered away due to lack of funding.

Now, in 2025, with political tides shifting and industry leaders growing restless, momentum is slowly returning. And at CTIA’s recent 5G Summit, the message from the wireless sector and select lawmakers was loud and clear: Get it done, or get left behind.

Enter Ajit Pai: A Familiar Voice with a Renewed Mission

At the center of the movement is former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, recently appointed as the new CEO of CTIA. Speaking at the summit, Pai wasted no time framing the stakes: Congress must urgently restore auction authority and clear at least 600MHz of spectrum for future use. Without these steps, the U.S. risks ceding its 5G and 6G leadership to geopolitical rivals.

In a symbolic passing of the torch, Pai interviewed Brendan Carr, another FCC veteran elevated under the Trump administration. Carr pointed to the financial incentive for Congress to act—namely, that renewing auction authority could bring in $80 billion or more in federal revenue. In a budget-hungry Washington, Carr’s message was simple: “It’s scored.” Translation? The math checks out, and the money’s on the table.

From Across the Aisle: Unlikely Allies and Shared Priorities

Even Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) chimed in with support, cheekily invoking a Trumpism: “We need a big, beautiful auction of spectrum.” Bipartisanship on spectrum may be rare, but not extinct.

Industry leaders like Verizon Business CEO Kyle Malady echoed the desperation for clarity. “We’re living hand-to-mouth,” he said, describing the uncertain regulatory climate that has hampered long-term investment and planning.

Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), now chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, leaned heavily on the national security argument: “If we fail to lead the world in 5G and 6G, it will be Huawei that creates the backbone of tomorrow’s global communications networks.” His speech drew the day’s loudest applause.

Behind the Scenes: The Pentagon Tug-of-War

Despite the rallying cries, the path forward remains messy. One of the biggest sticking points? The Department of Defense.

Cruz acknowledged the longstanding friction with the Pentagon, assuring attendees that no federal user—particularly the military—would be displaced without a fully funded and approved transition plan. Behind the scenes, he’s deep in negotiations with both the DoD and the White House.

The draft language recently released by House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) proposes renewing auction authority and reallocating 600MHz of spectrum—but excludes the controversial 3.1–3.45GHz and 5.925–7.125GHz bands, both coveted by industry giants and protected by the military.

T-Mobile’s tech president, Ulf Ewaldsson, made his frustrations known, calling 6GHz “the global spectrum” and urging the U.S. to keep pace with international adoption.

The Compromise No One Loves—But May Accept

On Tuesday, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) urged the Pentagon to stand its ground in a letter defending the 3, 6, and 7–8GHz bands for military use, citing their critical role in developing missile-defense projects like Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” system.

Tech-policy expert Harold Feld sees the latest compromise proposal as a realistic middle ground: a reauthorization that includes auction targets without naming specific bands. That’s in contrast to Cruz’s approach, which Feld calls a "clearing target"—a red line for the DoD and a potential dealbreaker.

Still, Feld remains cautiously optimistic. “Everybody agrees that we’re going to have FCC auction reauthorization as part of this bill,” he said. “It’s too much money not to have.”

The Clock Is Ticking

With hundreds of billions in future spectrum revenue, America’s 5G leadership, and national security hanging in the balance, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Industry leaders have shown patience. The Pentagon has signaled concerns. And lawmakers—from both parties—have spoken. Now all eyes are on Congress to finally bridge the divide.

2025 could be the year of action—or yet another missed opportunity in Washington’s long tradition of dysfunction. The future of America’s wireless innovation may depend on which path they choose.