Pending Spectrum Frontiers Order Seen as Next Logical Step Building on 2016 Move
A pending FCC spectrum frontiers order is widely expected to resolve issues teed up in a July 2016 Further NPRM, while authorizing additional bands for 5G, industry officials agree. Chairman Ajit Pai promised the order was on its way, at CTIA last week (see 1709120058). The FCC likely also will propose rules for spectrum above 95 GHz in another FNPRM, we're told.
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A 2016 NPRM proposed fixed and mobile use of the 24, 32, 42, 47, 50 and 70/80 GHz bands. All are considered likely candidates for reallocation in the pending order, though there are unknowns with the order a few months away. Former officials said the order is likely to provoke many of the same objections as those seen last year, especially from satellite interests (see 1607140052).
Pai didn’t provide much detail, and questions remain, such as on aggregation limits. Industry and government officials said they don’t expect too many surprises. “It’s still early, but Pai really wants to get out spectrum for 5G and everyone wants the high-frequency bands,” said a former official with carrier clients.
“The FCC is definitely pushing to open up as much spectrum as possible,” said Harold Feld, senior vice president at Public Knowledge. “In the abstract, it's a goal everyone agrees on, and opening more spectrum up is always a popular move.” Feld predicted Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel will help shape the order. “It is much more complicated when we get down to the details,” he said. “Rosenworcel is highly knowledgeable and deep in the weeds on both the technology and the law, particularly on unlicensed spectrum and sharing generally,” Feld said. “While I expect some tilt toward more traditional auction rules under Pai, I am hopeful that the expertise and relationships that Rosenworcel has developed over the years with her Republican colleagues will be critical in keeping the proper mix of unlicensed and licensed spectrum.”
Industry officials are pleased the FCC is focusing on high-frequency spectrum. CTIA appreciates Pai’s and the FCC’s “focus on making more high band spectrum available for wireless consumers, especially as the global race for 5G gets underway,” said Scott Bergmann, vice president-regulatory affairs. "As the wireless ecosystem is speeding ahead to provide revolutionary 5G services to consumers, the FCC has a unique opportunity to supercharge that investment and innovation,” said Robert McDowell of Mobile Future.
“The industry requires a large amount of low-, mid- and high-band spectrum to meet the data demands of the connected society,” said Chris Pearson, president of 5G Americas. “Licensed spectrum for 5G is a key ingredient for the U.S. to continue its global leadership in mobile wireless.”
“The satellite industry will be a vital and significant part of a future 5G network infrastructure, leveraging these millimeter wave bands to bring a combination of performance and resiliency that both compete with and are complementary to, terrestrial based wireless networks,” said Tom Stroup, president of the Satellite Industry Association. “The FCC must develop its spectrum allocation policies in a way that protects America’s leadership in innovative connectivity and space technology while avoiding any temptation to favor one technology over the other in a way that would negate the ability of 5G to fully meet its potential.”
Samsung officials said in docket 14-177 executives recently met with Pai. It cited "the importance of mmWave spectrum to US leadership of 5G services" and mentioned the "importance of removing barriers to infrastructure deployment to facilitate 5G in mmWave bands and small cell deployment, and urged action.”