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Brewing Spectrum Tug of War in the 12 GHz Band Has Major Implications for 5G, Fixed Wireless

The next big spectrum tug of war will play out in the 12 GHz band, where a broad 500 MHz of spectrum could be available for fixed or mobile use, possibly involving 5G and Wi-Fi. The Federal Communications Commission in Jan adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) about possibly changing the rules for the 12 GHz band that could allow spectrum sharing and other changes. The NPRM is likely to generate a barrage of comments including diverse and, in some cases, mutually exclusive, recommendations.

Sponsor: 

American Enterprise Institute

Date: 
Thu, 01/14/2021 - 16:30 to 18:00

As demand grows for more capable networks, optimizing wireless spectrum — the ranges of radio waves used for wireless communication — is important for America’s digital future. Reallocating spectrum for commercial and government use has been a top priority in recent years. This means working with international, federal, and state officials to reallocate spectrum to those who can make better use of it, maximizing the potential of this limited resource. How have the many government agencies involved tackled this issue?



Defense officials lukewarm on 5G spectrum-leasing plan pushed by the White House

The White House has pushed the Pentagon to set up a controversial spectrum-leasing plan matching one being proposed by a politically connected company called Rivada Networks, which wants the lucrative job of using that spectrum to create a nationwide 5G network. Rivada proposing that it create a 5G network and rent out that spectrum to private companies such as Netflix, Facebook or Tesla. Some of the revenue would be sent back to the federal government. If the arrangement moved forward, a formal procurement process would determine what sort of fees Rivada could collect.

5G Wireless: Capabilities and Challenges for an Evolving Network

The Government Accountability Office was asked to assess the technologies associated with 5G and their implications. This report discusses (1) how the performance goals and expected uses are to be realized in U.S. 5G wireless networks, (2) the challenges that could affect the performance or usage of 5G wireless networks in the U.S., and (3) policy options to address these challenges.

How shared spectrum connectivity benefits distance learning

Today, more than 9 million students lack proper access to reliable broadband internet at home, which creates obstacles for both the students and teachers.

Chairman Ajit Pai at the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Global Summit

When we talk about spectrum policy innovation in 2020, dynamic spectrum sharing rests at the cutting edge. It’s become a powerful tool for squeezing the most value out of high-quality spectrum and meeting the growing demand for wireless services. Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)  may have been the Federal Communications Commission’s first major foray into dynamic sharing, but it was hardly our last.

Is spectrum shortage a thing of the past?

The largest user of spectrum, the Department of Defense (DoD), has put out a Request for Information (RFI) that seems to propose that at least some of the spectrum traditionally used by the military could be shared for a fifth generation (5G) wireless network. The DoD cites a component of 5G technology called dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) as the vehicle to accomplish this. This is a milestone. The Defense Department itself is suggesting that it is possible to share spectrum without harming its operations.

Pentagon Opens Door to 5G Network Shared With Civilian Cellphones

US officials are exploring concepts for a new 5G wireless network that would let Silicon Valley giants and other businesses tap valuable Pentagon airwaves, setting up a potential clash over how to deploy the next-generation technology. The Department of Defense issued a request for information that could open the door for investors to bid on contracts to build a domestic cellular network for both the military and for commercial operators.

Spectrum Sharing: An Emerging Success

Spectrum sharing is working, and we now have a larger toolbox of techniques to employ as we move toward repurposing the 3450-3550 MHz band — as well as exploring potential repurposing within 3100-3450 MHz. The current auction of Priority Access Licenses (PALs) in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service band (CBRS) could not have happened without spectrum sharing in coastal areas where military mobile radars operate. NTIA research

Chairman Response Regarding 900MHz Band to Enable Broadband Report and Order

On May 12, 2020, Reps Randy Weber (R-TX), Brian Babin (R-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Roger Williams (R-TX), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to express concerns about the FCC report and order "Transitioning the 900 MHz BAnd to Enable Broadband Deployment" and its potential impacts on the US' refining and petrochemical industries.

Reps Soto, Flores Introduce LAUNCHES Act to Streamline Space Launch Communications

Reps Darren Soto (D-FL) and Bill Flores (R-TX) introduced the Leveraging American Understanding of Next-generation Challenges Exploring Space (LAUNCHES) Act, a bill that will eliminate unnecessary barriers that hamper the ability of private companies to obtain spectrum licenses required to launch rockets from US soil into space. The legislation:

Technical Feasibility of Sharing Federal Spectrum with Future Commercial Operations in the 3450-3550 MHz Band

As part of an assessment conducted with the Department of Defense, NTIA significant progress in finding potential spectrum sharing options for the 3450-3550 MHz band. Federal operations in the 3450-3550 MHz band include shipborne, airborne, and land-based systems — primarily radars. Our report points to a clear possibility for real time spectrum sharing that would protect these critical missions, while providing attractive opportunities for commercial business.

5G’s rollout is confusing, uneven, and rife with problems

2020 looks like it will be your year to get 5G—but only in the sense of having that signal on your phone, not in the sense of knowing quite what it’s supposed to be or using it to its full potential. A new report from the network analysis firm Opensignal advises that while this revamp of mobile broadband is poised to reach far more of the US, it will do so in ways that may leave both carriers and their customers feeling some wireless whiplash.

Chairman Pai's Response to Reps Dingell, Upton Regarding 5.9 GHz

On Aug 2, 2019, Reps Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Fred Upton (R-MI) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai about a recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the 5.9 GHz band, urging the FCC to take a technology neutral approach to allow for testing of the Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) communications platform. 

Utilities, Responders Renew Critique of FCC’s Wi-Fi Sharing Plan

Power companies, first responders and railroads are intensifying criticism of the Federal Communications Commission’s plan to allow Wi-Fi traffic on the 6 GHz band of airwaves they currently use.

TechNet Wades Into 5G Fight Over Defense Bill

Trade group TechNet, which counts AT&T and Verizon among members, is sounding the alarm over language in the Senate defense bill, S. 1790, ordering the Defense Department to create a test-bed program for “innovative technologies and techniques to facilitate” spectrum sharing between 5G service providers and incumbent airwaves occupants. Wireless heavyweights view this language as a Pentagon power grab over 5G and are lobbying to strip it from the bill before the House and Senate settle on a consensus version.

WISPA, Microsoft, Google Push for C-band Co-channel Sharing, Saying It Could Support Gigabit Fixed Wireless

Microsoft, Google and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) are urging the Federal Communications Commission to allow co-channel spectrum sharing in the C-band. The proposal would allow fixed wireless operators to use the same spectrum band as incumbent users, who are comprised largely of satellite operators that use the spectrum for their earth stations. The FCC is currently pondering how it might best make a portion of the C-band, comprised of spectrum between 3700 and 4200 MHz, available for wireless services.

The NDAA Airwaves Play

As the Senate geared up to pass its defense policy bill, the office of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) unsuccessfully pushed to add language that would require that a provision mandating Pentagon-led test beds to examine sharing 5G airwaves come with a requirement that the government “solicit and consider the input of commercial wireless service providers, equipment manufacturers, and firms developing and operating spectrum sharing technologies” as part of planning. 

FCC Commissioner O'Rielly Remarks Before Wi-Fi Alliance Annual Member Meeting

Given its past success and future potential, what challenges do Wi-Fi and its advocates face?

FCC Proposes Opening Airwaves for Mobile Services in 1675-80 MHz Band

The Federal Communications Commission proposed to reallocate spectrum in the 1675-1680 MHz band for shared use between incumbent federal users and new, non-federal flexible-use wireless operations. The 1675-1680 MHz band currently is used for weather forecasting services. But for several years spanning two Administrations, the President’s budget proposals have called for this band to be auctioned for flexible use, subject to sharing arrangements with federal weather satellites. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted takes the FCC’s first step toward accomplishing that task.

5G Security Factoring into House Defense Bill Talks, CTIA Balks

House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) confirmed that anxiety over Chinese telecom giants’ wireless advances could creep into House lawmakers’ must-pass defense policy legislation. “There might be a couple things on 5G that we include,” said Chairman Smith.

Commissioner Rosenworcel ‘exasperated’ over lack of movement on 3.5 GHz CBRS band

Another Federal Communications Commission meeting is in the books with no final decisions on the 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS) band. When asked about the timing of the 3.5 GHz item, FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly deferred to the chairman, who determines those things. Separately during Sept 26's press briefing, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel answered the same reporter’s question with a decidedly different tone, but one that reiterated her previous level of frustration at the lack of movement on the issue.

Commissioner Rosenworcel Remarks at Mobile World Congress Americas

I'm going to be the first Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission to talk about 6G wireless service. Getting from here to there won’t be simple. In fact, I think it will require Washington to reassess some policies it holds dear and considers tried and true. I want to talk about three things we should revisit for the spectrum policy of the future— valuation, auction, and distribution.

Rep Cole: Noncommercial Broadcasters Must Be Protected in C-Band Sharing

As the Federal Communications Commission prepares to vote July 12 on opening up the C-Band for wireless broadband, House Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Tom Cole (R-LA) is calling for care and handling of noncommercial broadcasting. Chairman Cole has written FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to advise caution as the FCC ponders remaking the band to allow wireless use, either by dividing up the band or allowing for sharing.