FCC Seeks to Increase Broadband Services in the 900 MHz Band

In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC seeks to unlock the full potential of broadband in the 896–901/935–940 MHz band (900 MHz band) by proposing a framework that will enable increased broadband deployment on all ten megahertz of the band’s spectrum while also maintaining the option of narrowband operations to meet the needs of incumbents in the band.  The FCC believes this to be an important step toward ensuring the band is efficiently and intensively utilized and that the increasing spectrum capacity and private broadband network needs of industries, such as utilities, railroads, critical infrastructure, and business enterprises, are met.  In an effort to build upon the FCC’s previous decision to realign and partially open up the band for the deployment of broadband services and technologies, the Commission proposes to update the existing 900 MHz broadband licensing framework to further facilitate a voluntary, market-driven transition and to allow 900 MHz users the opportunity to increase their broadband capacity for more advanced and robust communications networks nationwide. 


Review of the Commission's Rules Governing the 896–901/935–940 MHz Band