--- title: An FCC Commissioner Explains Spectrum Allocation + Broadband Expansion description: FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington is a guest on the TeleGeography Explains the Internet podcast. He discusses current telecom challenges and solutions. image: https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/Content%20Archive/2023/Email/DC.png --- [![TG\_LOGO](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/TeleGeography%20Hub%20Theme%20Nov%202025/images/TG_LOGO.svg)](https://www2.telegeography.com/) - [About](https://www2.telegeography.com/about-us) - [Research](https://www2.telegeography.com/our-research) - [Products](https://www2.telegeography.com/products) - [Solutions](https://www2.telegeography.com/solutions) - [Resources](https://resources.telegeography.com) [Log In](https://www.telegeography.com/login/login?service=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegeography.com%2Faccount%2Fhome%2Findex) [Contact](https://www2.telegeography.com/contact-us) ###### Data and Analysis Tools - [Cloud and WAN Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/cloud-and-wan-infrastructure) - [Data Center Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/data-center-research-service) - [GlobalComms Database](https://www2.telegeography.com/globalcomms-database-service) - [International Voice Report](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-report-and-database) - [IP Networks Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/ip-networks-research-service) - [ISP Navigator](https://www2.telegeography.com/isp-navigatorisp-navigator) - [Transport Networks Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/transport-networks) - [Network Pricing Database](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-pricing-database) - [WAN Cost Benchmark](https://www2.telegeography.com/wan-cost-benchmark) - [Product Passes](https://www2.telegeography.com/product-passes) ###### Consulting - [All Consulting Services](https://www2.telegeography.com/consulting) - [Submarine Cable Consulting](https://www2.telegeography.com/submarine-cable-consulting) ###### Maps - [All Map Services](https://www2.telegeography.com/map-services) - [Sponsor a Map](https://www2.telegeography.com/sponsor-a-map) - [License Map Data](https://www2.telegeography.com/license-geocoded-map-data) - [Cite a Map](https://www2.telegeography.com/cite-telegeography-map) - [Buy a Map](https://shop.telegeography.com/collections/telecom-maps/) ###### Industry - [Education](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-for-education) - [Enterprise](https://www2.telegeography.com/enterprise) - [Tech](https://www2.telegeography.com/tech) - [Telecom](https://www2.telegeography.com/telecom) ###### Case Studies - [AI + Retail Telecom Data](https://www2.telegeography.com/where-to-get-global-telecom-data) - [EXA Infrastructure](https://www2.telegeography.com/exa-infrastructure-case-study) - [Orange Wholesale](https://www2.telegeography.com/orange-wholesale-case-study) - [The European Commission](https://www2.telegeography.com/the-european-commissions-data-backed-approach-to-international-policy) [Back to Resources](https://resources.telegeography.com) # An FCC Commissioner Explains Spectrum Allocation + Broadband Expansion ##### By [Greg Bryan,](https://resources.telegeography.com/author/greg-bryan) Jun 05, 2025 [Networks](https://resources.telegeography.com/tag/networks) [Submarine Cables](https://resources.telegeography.com/tag/submarine-cables) [Podcast](https://resources.telegeography.com/tag/podcast) In this episode of the *[TeleGeography Explains the Internet](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-explains-the-internet-podcast)* podcast, [FCC](https://www.fcc.gov/) Commissioner Nathan Simington joins the show for a deep dive into the evolving world of spectrum allocation, broadband infrastructure, submarine cable policy, and cybersecurity. With a unique background in finance, law, and policy, Simington offers an interesting perspective on the complexities of the current telecom environment and where federal policy is headed. #### Key Takeaways ## Modernizing Spectrum Use: More Than Just Real Estate A major theme of the conversation is that while some spectrum is high quality and some is less useful, a longstanding challenge has been deciding who gets the premium spectrum and for what use. Simington argues that traditional, rigid spectrum allocation models are increasingly outdated. Instead, he encourages thinking about how new technologies like fixed wireless access (FWA) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites can make more efficient use of available frequencies. The Commissioner also weighs in on the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), calling it an "unwritten story" with potential for disruption. While some criticize its mid-band, open-access model as a barrier to uniform engineering, cities like Las Vegas have used CBRS to build cost-effective municipal networks—proof of its unique utility. Spectrum auctions, once a powerful market-based tool for discovering value, are now too pre-engineered to be truly dynamic, Simington says. He emphasizes the need for more open-ended frameworks that foster innovation and accommodate unexpected advances. On unlicensed spectrum, Simington praises the ingenuity that turned “junk bands” like 2.4 GHz into critical connectivity infrastructure. He suggests regulators should revisit 5 GHz to enable better power management and coordination—especially as global standards diverge in the 6 GHz band. ## Broadband and the BIL: Multimodal is the Future Turning to broadband development, Simington reflects on the $65 billion allocated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. While fiber remains a gold standard, he warns that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Given the geographic and economic realities of the U.S., Simington champions the role of FWA and LEO as key players in closing the digital divide—especially in areas where fiber is cost-prohibitive. He also notes that about 20% of U.S. households are mobile-only users, making wireless a more logical fit for many underserved communities. Technological progress and competitive service models are making wireless a strong, and often preferable, broadband solution. ## Submarine Cables and National Security Though underappreciated, submarine cables carry most of the world’s internet traffic. Simington calls for a refreshed regulatory approach, one that balances national security with streamlined deployment. While the FCC historically played a minor role here, Simington believes it’s time for the Commission to more actively support cable deployment, ensure security, and engage with both private and public stakeholders to monitor threats like anchor dragging or suspicious AIS activity. ## Cybersecurity and the Expanding Threat Perimeter Simington addresses the FCC’s new [Cyber Trust Mark](https://www.fcc.gov/CyberTrustMark), a program aimed at identifying secure consumer IoT devices. He stresses that OEMs must be incentivized to treat user security as a core feature—not an afterthought. While regulatory capacity is limited, Simington sees collaboration with industry, other federal agencies, and even the White House as essential to improving cyber hygiene at scale. As connectivity expands in every direction—through spectrum, broadband, subsea cables, and IoT—the FCC's regulatory strategies must evolve to keep pace, Commissioner Simington says.   ## Explore Related Content ![Exploring New Subsea Cables Through the Middle East](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/2024/Blog%20Assets/AdobeStock_498312417-1.jpeg) ###### Blog Dec 12, 2025 #### [Exploring New Subsea Cables Through the Middle East](https://resources.telegeography.com/capacity-middle-east) As our team prepares for Capacity Middle East 2026, we've rounded up the best resources to help you... 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[View More by Jayne Miller](https://resources.telegeography.com/author/jayne-miller) [Read Full Article](https://resources.telegeography.com/free-ebook-telecom-history-telegeography-map-portfolio) [![TG\_LOGO\_color\_horizontal\_SIMPLIFIED 1](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/TeleGeography%20Hub%20Theme%20Nov%202025/images/TG_LOGO_color_horizontal_SIMPLIFIED%201.svg)](https://www2.telegeography.com/) [Login](https://www.telegeography.com/login/login?service=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegeography.com%2Faccount%2Fhome%2Findex) [Contact Us](https://www2.telegeography.com/contact-us) ###### [About](https://www2.telegeography.com/about-us) - [Research](https://www2.telegeography.com/our-research) - [Products](https://www2.telegeography.com/products) - [Solutions](https://www2.telegeography.com/solutions) - [Demo](https://www2.telegeography.com/demo) ###### [Press](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-press) - [Events](https://www2.telegeography.com/telecom-events) - [Careers](https://www2.telegeography.com/careers) ###### [Resources](https://resources.telegeography.com/) - [Podcast](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-explains-the-internet-podcast) - [Newsletter](https://www2.telegeography.com/subscribe-to-telegeography-emails) - - All Rights Reserved 2026 - [Privacy Policy](https://www2.telegeography.com/privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Greg Bryan", "url" : "https://resources.telegeography.com/author/greg-bryan" }, "dateModified" : "2026-01-31T14:05:44.287Z", "datePublished" : "2025-06-05T13:29:53.000Z", "headline" : "An FCC Commissioner Explains Spectrum Allocation + Broadband Expansion", "image" : [ "https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/Content%20Archive/2023/Email/DC.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://resources.telegeography.com/fcc-commissioner-spectrum-allocation-broadband-expansion", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/assets/telegeography/telegeography-logo-blog.png" }, "name" : "TeleGeography" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org/", "@type" : "WebSite", "image" : "https://www2.telegeography.com/hubfs/Website/assets/logo/telegeography-logo.svg", "name" : "An FCC Commissioner Explains Spectrum Allocation + Broadband Expansion", "potentialAction" : { "@type" : "SearchAction", "query-input" : "required name=search_term_string", "target" : "{search_term_string}" }, "url" : "https://resources.telegeography.com/fcc-commissioner-spectrum-allocation-broadband-expansion" } ```