Federated Wireless extended its spectrum controller platform for use in the 6 GHz band, which the FCC is expected to open for sharing with unlicensed users (see 2003050058). Federated provides similar service for the citizens broadband radio service band. The platform is “in trials … and is expected to be available for commercial use by the end of 2020,” the company said Wednesday.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai could propose an order on the 6 GHz band for the April 23 meeting, industry and FCC officials said. That would move one of his biggest pieces of unfinished business, providing spectrum for unlicensed use comparable to the mid-band allocated for licensed use in the C band. Pai was expected to propose an item in March. Staff needed more time, we were told Thursday.
The FCC approved 5-0 draft bidding procedures for the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service band, which formally schedules a June 25 auction of CBRS licenses. Unlike the C band (see 2002280044), this second mid-band item was approved after a relatively brief discussion without similar political fireworks. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel agreed the process has taken too long. The licenses will be the first mid-band spectrum the FCC has offered for 5G.
The FCC draft proposal for the C band, set for a vote Friday, wrongly forecloses sharing with point-to-multipoint operations, wireless ISPs and tech groups told the commission in meetings last week. Most filings posted Monday in docket 18-122 deal with issues previously raised. The FCC should have at least sought comment on sharing, said Google, Microsoft, the Open Technology Institute at New America and the Wireless ISP Association. The agency could delay some issues for future consideration in the interest of broader support for key parts of the plan (see 2002210046:). The draft “mischaracterizes the weight of comments in the record by stating that ‘an overwhelming number of commenters across industries oppose the proposal’” for sharing, the tech interests said: Sixteen commenters "argued for the proposed spectrum sharing.” WISPA and the others had meetings with aides to all five commissioners, posted Monday. NAB sought tweaks, to “allow satellite customers to comment on each satellite operator’s transition plan before approving it” and the commission should require the clearinghouse to “resolve disputes beyond reimbursement. ... The Commission should seek information not only from space station operators, but from other stakeholders, to confirm that the transition has been successfully completed.” CTIA said the FCC is on the right track. “Make clear that earth station operators that elect to transition to fiber rather than maintaining satellite reception must complete their transition by the relevant accelerated relocation deadline,” CTIA asked: “This modest clarification will provide earth station operators, bidders, and the administrator of the Relocation Payment Clearinghouse with added certainty regarding the relocation process, thereby better enabling a smooth post-auction transition.” Aviation industry groups said the order should be modified to guarantee safe operation of radio altimeters in nearby spectrum. The draft “proposes simply to monitor the situation,” said the Aerospace Industries Association, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, Aviation Spectrum Resources and others: “There is a lot more that the Commission can and should do now with the inputs and active involvement of both the commercial wireless and the aerospace and aviation industries.” It should “expressly provide that, as new entrants coming into the spectrum, flexible use licensees shall not cause harmful interference to adjacent band radio altimeters and they should be responsible for resolving any such interference,” they said. Charter Communications urged addressing “the potential for harmful interference at the band edge” between the C band and the citizens broadband radio service band.
The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) told the FCC the sharing regime in the adjacent citizens broadband radio service band could be a model across the entire 3.1-3.55 GHz range. Other commenters said amateur radio operations should remain in the spectrum. Commissioners approved an NPRM 5-0 at their December meeting (see 1912120063) proposing to remove existing nonfederal secondary and amateur allocations in the 3.1-3.55 GHz band and to relocate incumbent nonfederal operations. Comments posted through Monday in docket 19-348.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released a compilation of comments Wednesday supporting his proposal for converting 280 MHz of C band spectrum to 5G through an auction later this year. Whether the order will include aggregation limits is emerging as a key issue on the eighth floor at the FCC. FCC Democrats Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks both appear to favor some limits, while Commissioner Mike O’Rielly is a hard no, industry and FCC officials told us.
The FCC acknowledges in the draft bidding procedures notice for the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service band it will provide compensation to DOD for sharing costs, as specified by the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act. Industry and government officials said DOD considered that critical, especially since CBRS could be a model for other bands. But there was some confusion whether the FCC would say CSEA language applied for the auction of priority access licenses, to start June 15 (see 2002040051). Commissioners will vote on the notice Feb. 28.
Intelsat is getting shareholder pressure to hold out for sweeter terms with the FCC's C-band clearing plan, but it's considered unlikely to go that route. The FCC and Intelsat didn't comment. Competitive issues also continue to be raised in filings at the agency.
The public notice setting up application and bidding procedures for citizens broadband radio service licenses to be voted on at the Feb. 28 meeting (see here) sets up the agency for a long-awaited CBRS auction, but still Ieaves some issues unaddressed, FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly blogged Friday. The agency also released the other draft items. O'Rielly said unresolved are ways to reduce the protection area sizes and increasing power limits in the band.
Federated Wireless raised citizens broadband radio service concerns about the C band, in a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-122. FCC members will consider a proposal for the band at their Feb. 28 meeting (see 2002060057). “The Commission should consider various means to ensure that newly authorized C-Band flexible use operations do not impair the upper CBRS spectrum,” Federated said: “One readily available solution is to use an automated coordination capability, such as a Spectrum Access System.”