FCC NPRM on 70, 80, 90 GHz Spectrum Raises Concerns
Astronomy interests raised concerns as the FCC looks at future use of the 70, 80 and 90 GHz bands. Comments on a June NPRM were posted in docket 20-133 Wednesday. Nokia and Qualcomm sought changes. The American Astronomical Society stressed…
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the negative implications on “scientific exploration and discovery” if the NPRM is approved. “A process that gives significant weight to the input of experts from the scientific community is sorely needed,” the group said. A proposal for airborne use of the 70/80 GHz bands is particularly concerning, the society said: While “Aeronet mentions the need to protect radio astronomy in its proposal, there is no detail provided on how this will be done.” The National Academy of Sciences’ Committee on Radio Frequencies raised similar issues. “There is no indication on the record of how the vitally important coordination task will take place for airplanes in the skies near Haystack,” said the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Haystack Observatory. Nokia supports the lead proposal to increase the maximum beamwidth 3 dB points from 1.2 degrees to 2.2 degrees and to reduce minimum antenna gain from 43 dBi to 38 dBi. “This simple rule change will allow needed flexibility to deploy smaller, lighter backhaul antennas to facilitate 5G deployments in urban settings,” Nokia said. Other proposals require more study, the company said. “The inherent nature of 5G-based communications in this 70/80/90 GHz high band spectrum allows for multiple co-primary, co-located licensees to each deploy communications systems,” Qualcomm said.