FCC Provides Details of Spectrum Frontiers Order, Part 2
The FCC released details Friday on its proposed spectrum frontiers order, which makes another 1,700 MHz of high-frequency spectrum available for 5G in the 24 GHz and 47 GHz bands. The draft order in docket 14-177 says the FCC is making spectrum available for 5G, the IoT and other advanced spectrum-based services. But it also says the FCC is looking for a balanced spectrum policy. “In doing so, we help ensure continued American leadership in wireless broadband, which represents a critical component of economic growth, job creation, public safety, and global competitiveness,” the draft says.
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It proposes 4 GHz be preserved for satellite use in the 48.2-50.2 GHz and 40-42 GHz bands. The FCC would also keep the 64-71 GHz band for unlicensed use and modify its Part 15 rules to allow unlicensed operation on board most aircraft during flight in the 57-71 GHz band. The order also proposes to “focus development of the 70/80 GHz bands on fixed and other newer, innovative uses.”
Parts of the order are more political, reversing parts of the rules for other millimeter wave bands in the 2016 spectrum frontiers order, which FCC Republicans found objectionable then. The order would eliminate the ex ante auction limit on spectrum holdings in the 28, 37 and 39 GHz bands, “consistent with our decision not to adopt an ex ante auction limit for the 24 GHz and 47.2-48.2 GHz bands,” the draft said. The draft also would rescind the previously adopted cybersecurity reporting requirements, and instead “seek input” through the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.
In its analysis of the 24 GHz band, the FCC notes it sought comment on whether it should be reallocated for mobile use as part of the Further NPRM approved with the original spectrum frontiers order. “The response in the record was overwhelmingly positive,” the FCC said. “Commenters mentioned that 24 GHz is particularly attractive for mobile use due to its international harmonization potential, proximity to the previously-established 28 GHz band, and its relatively low frequency (for a mmW band) and related propagation attributes.”
The draft proposes to license the lower segment (24.25-24.45 GHz) of the band as one 200 MHz channel, and the upper segment (24.75-25.25) as one 100 MHz channel and two 200 MHz channels. “This band plan strikes a balance between authorizing the widest possible channels, while facilitating efficient use of the spectrum, with each license being used to the fullest possible extent,” the FCC said.
The 47 GHz band is complicated because it's used by fixed satellite service operators and may be paired with the 40-42 GHz FSS downlink band, the draft says. The FCC also sought comment on that band in the Further NPRM. Wireless carriers and equipment makers urged it be opened for 5G, the FCC said. “Certain satellite interests urge the Commission to retain FSS access to the entire 47 GHz band for satellite operations, including primary status for FSS in the 48.2-50.2 GHz band, unencumbered by terrestrial operations.” The draft says “the significant amount of bandwidth available in this band will help to accommodate the expected continued increase in demand for mobile data.”
More bands are being looked at for reallocation, the FCC said. “The Commission has now made available approximately 13 gigahertz of mmW spectrum in this proceeding, and we will continue to evaluate additional mmW bands in this proceeding and in a separate proceeding on bands above 95 GHz.”
“After an initial review, SIA is encouraged with the provision to maintain the 4 GHz of core satellite frequencies,” said Tom Stroup, president of the Satellite Industry Association. “The document … is obviously complex and SIA and its members will be diligently reviewing the details before releasing or filing any further comment.”
The draft is a mixed bag for advocates of unlicensed spectrum, said Harold Feld, senior vice president at Public Knowledge. The FCC seems to reject requests by carriers that it eliminate the allocation for unlicensed spectrum in the upper bands, Feld told us. “It makes me hope that, particularly with Commissioners [Jessica] Rosenworcel and [Brendan] Carr on board, that unlicensed will continue to remain an important part of the commission's spectrum planning.”
Feld said he's disappointed, but not surprised, to see the rollback in the spectrum screen. “The draft order paves the way for the commission to approve the pending Verizon/StraightPath and the AT&T/FiberTower transactions,” he said. “This will give the two dominant providers an enormous first mover advantage in 5G. Even if the commission moves as quickly as possible to auction off the bands now designated for auction, we can it expect it to be years before competing firms are able to begin their own 5G deployments.”