Mid-Band Spectrum, 3.5 GHz Band, Critical to 5G, T-Mobile Says
T-Mobile said the FCC shouldn't forget about mid-band spectrum and its importance to 5G. In a Friday blog post, T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray made clear the carrier’s interest in the 3.5 GHz shared band, though the changes it sought in the rules for the band were controversial with some Wi-Fi advocates (see 1706200081). T-Mobile seeks changes that go further than Verizon. Former FCC officials said the focus remains on Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, who's working on proposed changes to the 3.5 GHz rules (see 1704190056) approved during the Obama administration.
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“So far, the FCC has largely equated 5G with high-band, or millimeter wave, spectrum,” Ray wrote. “But that spectrum will only be a part of the 5G picture. Throughout the history of wireless, no single spectrum band has defined subsequent generations of services (2G, 3G, 4G and the steps in between) -- and it won’t with 5G either.”
T-Mobile views the 3.5 GHz band as potentially very useful, Ray said: “That’s why T-Mobile has asked the FCC to re-examine its rules for the 3.5 GHz band. The 3550-3700 MHz spectrum is ideal to meet the mid-band needs for 5G networks. It has better coverage characteristics than high-band spectrum, meaning that it can help deliver the promise of 5G to rural areas, and there is potentially more of it than there is low-band spectrum.” The band is also “next-door” to 3.7-4.2 GHz band spectrum (see 1706210044) that potentially could become available for use by wireless carriers, Ray said. “3.5 GHz is a massive 5G spectrum opportunity,” Ray tweeted. “Urging the @FCC to make it available for 5G.”
Some industry observers think T-Mobile could win on its push at the FCC. “T-Mobile has good chances of success since its recommendations are clearly pro-growth, pro-investment and pro-jobs,” said Roger Entner, analyst at Recon Analytics. The FCC’s sharing proposal for the 3.5 GHz band “is nothing more than slideware,” said Richard Bennett, network architect. “At best, it duplicates the logic of the failed white spaces initiative. T-Mobile has a practical plan for this band that can lead to real-world implementation. The FCC should give it serious consideration.”
“A robust 5G ecosystem will require both more licensed and unlicensed spectrum in mid-band spectrum, as well as in the high-frequency, millimeter-wave bands," countered Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at New America. "That is exactly why a unanimous FCC adopted a balanced framework at 3.5 GHz with small-cell spectrum for both licensed and unlicensed access. Limiting access to a few incumbent carriers that can afford to buy very expensive licenses over huge areas would sacrifice the sort of innovation, spectrum re-use and local user control that we’ve enjoyed with more open access options like Wi-Fi.” The Citizens Broadband Radio Service Alliance and other advocates didn’t comment on the latest from T-Mobile.