Vacating mid-band for commercial 5G would cost DOD at least $120 billion and take 20 years

By Jason Sherman / March 9, 2023 at 6:21 PM
The Pentagon estimates it will cost at least $120 billion and 20 years to vacate the mid-band electromagnetic spectrum being eyed for auction to telecommunications companies developing the 5G commercial market and put at risk military capabilities that currently use S-band systems such as the Aegis radar and assured navigation and more for strategic missions. John Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy, disclosed the figure yesterday and said this portion of the spectrum -- which the Defense and...

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