FCC Approves Liberalization of CBRS Rules for Many Devices

from NTIA. Previously, all devices had to be reauthorized at least once every five minutes to ensure compliance with FCC rules. “We agree that extending this reauthorization period from 300 seconds to 24 hours in geographic areas and portions of the spectrum band that are outside of the scope of current federal operations will help to provide a more stable and predictable spectrum environment for Citizens Broadband Radio Service users while ensuring an interference-free environment for critical federal operations,” NTIA said in the Monday letter to the chiefs of the Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology. NTIA said it’s comfortable with the longer periods for devices outside of dynamic protection areas (DPAs) and for devices using the 3.65-3.7 GHz part of the band. The shorter time frame continues for devices using 3.55-3.65 GHz inside DPAs. The CBRS rules were designed to protect primarily naval radars that use the band. The FCC adopted the changes. “We agree with NTIA that allowing SAS administrators to modify their implementation of the CBSD reauthorization period under these circumstances will create a more stable, predictable spectrum environment for all 3.5 GHz band users without jeopardizing the protection of critical federal operations from harmful interference,” the FCC said.