US operators, with the exception of Sprint, are desperate for the midband spectrum which is providing their counterparts round the world with high 5G capacity, without the expense and engineering challenges of moving up to millimeter wave bands. The really desirable airwaves are in the C-band (3.7-4.2 GHz), but these have been the subject of years of rows between the satellite providers which occupy them now, and the mobile industry. The FCC has plans to auction C-band spectrum this year, but final agreements with the satellite sector are still required. In the meantime, the next best thing is the licensed portion of the CBRS band in 3.5 GHz, with auctions due to start in June. The FCC’s innovative approach to…