Spectrum Sharing Could Unlock Critical Wireless Capacity for America’s AI Growth
The column warns that limited radio spectrum is an overlooked barrier to AI expansion and urges sharing federal bands with commercial users.
The article argues that while public debate centers on AI regulation, data-center capacity and investment, the finite radio spectrum needed for machine-to-machine communication is being ignored. As AI moves into the physical economy, large-scale wireless capacity becomes essential, particularly in the 4.4-4.94 GHz band that supports many federal missions. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is tasked with studying the band, and Valo Analytica recommends spectrum sharing rather than a traditional clear-and-auction approach, which could disrupt critical government services.
Sharing would allow localized commercial use, reduce relocation costs, and bring usable spectrum to manufacturers, ports, utilities and research institutions more quickly. The piece points to successful sharing examples such as CBRS and automated coordination in the 6 GHz band, and calls on the NTIA to model both exclusive and shared scenarios to evaluate net revenue, deployment timelines and protection of federal operations.
