C-Band Could Get New Aviation-Related Power Down

The Federal Communications Commission is considering putting new restrictions on wireless use of C-Band spectrum, including a nationwide power reduction, as the Biden Administration works on how best to free up that spectrum for 5G without risking interference to critical aviation communications. Wireless deployments in the band were delayed from fall 2021 given concerns by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but are now scheduled to launch January 5, 2022. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said that the agency is taking the concerns laid out in a report submitted by Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) about C-Band usage "very seriously," serious enough to open a proceeding to review the findings and whether any changes need to be made to the C-Band rules. She also said that, "out of an abundance of caution," the FCC, as part of ongoing discussions with the FAA, is considering a number of potential new interference mitigation strategies, including creating exclusion zones around airports and helipads, reducing power nationwide, and limiting "skyward" transmissions.