Smaller Carriers Support Small License Sizes in 3.5 GHz CBRS Band
Frontier, Windstream and Consolidated Communications jointly told the FCC they're interested in using the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service (CBRS) band and agree with others who argue against increasing the size of the priority access licenses (PALs) (see 1712260032).…
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The three noted this is the first time they have weighed in on the CBRS proceeding. “Our companies believe that the 3.5 GHz Band could provide another key tool in the toolbox to reach the hardest to serve rural Americans if carriers are able to access the spectrum for rural fixed wireless deployments,” they said in a filing in docket 17-258. “In particular, by preserving smaller census tract license sizes in rural areas, the FCC can offer the opportunity for rural fixed wireless in the band and promote rural broadband deployment.” Wireless carriers represented by the Blooston, Mordkofsky law firm also supported smaller license sizes for the PALs. “The Commission can best promote investment and maximize opportunities for both large and small service providers by adopting county-based licensing for five (5) of the PALs and retaining census block licensing for two (2) PALs, and retaining a significant amount of dedicated [general access] spectrum to create and enhance opportunities for all operators,” the carriers said. The Wireless ISP Association said in a news release it will oppose changes to the rules in a filing it's making at the FCC. “There is nothing on the Commission’s agenda that is more important than connecting the 23 million rural Americans who don’t have access to broadband today,” said Chuck Hogg, WISPA chairman. “Fixed-wireless technology is the most cost-effective way to connect the unconnected, and the current CBRS rules are a solid framework to attract private capital to rapidly connect the unconnected. If the Commission is serious about bridging the digital divide, it will reject this transparent attempt by the nation’s largest mobile carriers to use the regulatory process for their exclusive benefit, and to the detriment of competition and rural broadband.”