Sounding like broadcasters almost a decade ago facing the incentive auction and repack, cable operators are calling on the FCC to make sure incumbent services are protected in the commission's effort to open up more spectrum for wireless broadband.

That came in reply comments due this week on the FCC's proposal to open up the C-band (3.7 to 4.2 GHz Band) satellite spectrum for terrestrial 5G, one of many such spectrum band-opening efforts the FCC is undertaking in the race with China to be first with 5G.

The FCC voted unanimously back in July to find ways to open up the C-band spectrum (3.7-4.2 Ghz) — either all of the proposed 500 Mhz or some portion of it — for terrestrial wireless use.

Those ways could include an incentive or capacity auction, a market mechanism where incumbents voluntarily strike deals to reduce their footprint, or some other means.