For decades, the Pentagon has had relatively unquestioned access to a large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum - a critical resource that enables capabilities like radars, satellite communications and navigation systems.
However, a number of leaders at the Defense Department are concerns that access may soon be slipping away.
“That part of the spectrum is where we have many of our capabilities across the Joint Force,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown said in July confirmation hearing to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
If vacated, the Pentagon would "lose that capability and we’d have to figure out how now to regain" it ... and that would "take time and cost money.”
Brown’s comments have been echoed by numerous DoD officials throughout this year’s budget hearing process. It represents one side of a years-long struggle between the Pentagon and the commercial telecommunications industry over access to the 3.1-3.45 GHz S-band, which they say is crucial for 5G wireless technology.
That portion has been solely designated to the Defense Department for decades.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is on the cusp of releasing a highly anticipated study discussing potential impacts to DoD if it had to give up parts of the spectrum.
The study also examines the feasibility of both 5G providers and DoD sharing the spectrum, requiring additional technical/scheduling agreements between the two.
Experts have told DefenseScoop that the conflict is symptomatic of an outdated spectrum management system plagued by policy, legal and technological guardrails.
At the same time, freeing up spectrum for commercial use could be considered a national security interest. (Defense Scoop 07/31/23) Pentagon, telecom industry’s battle over spectrum symptomatic of a troubled system | DefenseScoop
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