Senator Warns on Spectrum Risks

The High-Stakes Gamble: Why Auctioning Critical Spectrum Bands Threatens Aviation and National Security
Picture this: A commercial 5G signal flickers into an aircraft’s altimeter frequency mid-flight, scrambling critical navigation data. Or a missile defense system’s radar gets drowned out by a telecom company’s new broadband network. These aren’t dystopian plot twists—they’re real risks simmering in the debate over auctioning federal spectrum bands. At the center of this showdown stands Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), wielding warnings like a detective flashing a badge at a crime scene. The stakes? Nothing less than aviation safety, national security, and America’s technological edge.

The Fragile Invisible Infrastructure

Spectrum isn’t just airwave real estate—it’s the lifeblood of modern systems. The 1780–1850 MHz band, for instance, isn’t some corporate playground; it’s the FAA’s lifeline for airborne telemetry, feeding data to air traffic control towers and cockpit systems. Mess with it, and you’re gambling with the National Airspace System’s integrity. Cantwell’s blunt letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spells it out: *”We cannot risk another disaster.”* She’s referencing close calls like the 2022 5G rollout near airports, where interference fears forced last-minute delays—a dress rehearsal for chaos.
But the FAA isn’t the only nervous agency. The Pentagon’s spectrum holdings are the backbone of military radar, encrypted comms, and yes, Trump’s vaunted “Golden Dome” missile shield. Auctioning these bands isn’t like selling surplus office chairs; it’s more like auctioning off the locks to a military base’s armory. Past blunders haunt this debate: Remember the B-2 bomber’s radar glitches caused by commercial interference? The $165 million fix didn’t exactly inspire confidence.

The Siren Song of Short-Term Gains

Proponents, like Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), pitch auctions as a win-win: *”Unleash innovation! Fill federal coffers!”* His Spectrum Pipeline Act dangles mid-band spectrum as the next gold rush, promising to catapult U.S. telecom giants ahead of global rivals. But here’s the rub: The projected $30 billion in auction revenue (per Congressional Budget Office estimates) could evaporate if interference triggers system meltdowns requiring retrofits.
The telecom industry’s hunger for spectrum is real—5G demands vast bandwidth, and companies like Verizon and AT&T are salivating over “underutilized” federal frequencies. But “underutilized” is a slippery term. Military spectrum might sit idle during peacetime drills, but try telling that to a fighter pilot whose datalink drops mid-maneuver. The DoD’s own 2023 report admits that 40% of its spectrum is “interference-sensitive,” yet auction advocates gloss over this like a car salesman skipping the fine print.

The Global Chessboard

This isn’t just a domestic squabble. China and Russia are aggressively hoarding spectrum for dual-use tech (civilian networks that double as military assets). If the U.S. auctions off its strategic bands, it’s not just risking airport near-misses—it’s ceding a tactical edge. The Pentagon’s “Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy” explicitly warns that adversaries are “weaponizing spectrum.” Translation: While America monetizes its airwaves, rivals could exploit the gaps.
Even allies are wary. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has flagged “grave concerns” about spectrum auctions encroaching on aviation frequencies. When the EU delayed its own 5G rollout near airports, it wasn’t out of bureaucratic spite—it was math. The cost of recalibrating altimeters across global fleets? A cool $600 million, per Airbus estimates.

A Path Forward: Scrutiny Over Speed

The solution isn’t paralysis—it’s precision. Cantwell’s push for a “Spectrum Coordination Office” could bridge the gap, forcing the FCC, FAA, and DoD to sync up before auctions proceed. The 2023 *Spectrum Coordination Act* (still languishing in committee) proposes exactly this: a triage system to vet interference risks *before* bids hit the table.
Meanwhile, tech isn’t standing still. Advances like AI-driven spectrum-sharing (where networks dynamically avoid clashes) could ease tensions. Companies like Federated Wireless already pilot these systems, but they’re not yet scalable for nationwide safety-critical uses. Rushing auctions now would be like installing beta software in a nuclear plant’s control room.

The Bottom Line

Spectrum auctions aren’t inherently evil—they’ve fueled decades of wireless progress. But treating safety and security bands like just another commodity is like selling fire extinguishers to pay the rent. Cantwell’s warnings are less partisan alarmism than hard-nosed pragmatism: *”Show us the safeguards first.”* Until then, the only responsible bid is *pause*. Because in this high-stakes game, the house—whether it’s an airline, a warship, or a 5G startup—shouldn’t win at the expense of lives.
The clock’s ticking. The FAA’s 2025 deadline for altimeter upgrades looms, and the DoD’s spectrum “pipeline” is leaking risk assessments. One thing’s clear: If we auction first and ask questions later, the bill coming due won’t just be financial—it’ll be written in preventable disasters.