Federal spectrum valuation

Radio-frequency spectrum is a valuable national asset that must be used effectively and efficiently to achieve economic growth, technological innovation, and national security. The value of the spectrum used by the Federal Government is enormous.

The 2025 Working Families Tax Cut Act directed NTIA to regularly report on the value of spectrum used by Federal entities.

In April 2026, NTIA issued a formal Request for Information to seek views on how to approach the task of attaching a value to the Federal Government’s spectrum use. NTIA is developing a methodology for accurately determining the value of the Federal Government’s spectrum assets.

“To ensure the Federal Government demonstrates proper stewardship of the spectrum resource in its procurement decisions and thus yield improvements in overall Federal spectrum management and use, agencies must include in the development of their budget justifications for procurement of major radio spectrum-dependent communications-electronics systems consideration of the economic value of the spectrum being used.”

-OMB Circular No. A-11 (2025)