CTIA Says High-Frequency Spectrum To Have Big Role in 5G
Initial comments on the FCC 24 GHz NPRM demonstrate the great interest in high-frequency spectrum as the industry moves toward 5G, CTIA said in replies. They were due Friday on the NPRM, launched by the agency in October (see 1510220057). Wrapping up parts of the rulemaking is expected to be a top priority for Tom Wheeler during his remaining time as FCC chairman (see 1602030043). Carriers have said in recent financial presentations that they see high-frequency spectrum as playing a big role in 5G.
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Initial comments “demonstrate that efforts to develop 5G networks and products are well underway, and CTIA commends the Commission for exploring new and innovative ways to bring to market the spectrum necessary to support these services,” CTIA said. "It is essential that the Commission continue its efforts to make additional spectrum available at low, medium, and high frequencies.”
CTIA said the FCC shouldn't get too creative in its regulatory regime. “The Commission should not complicate an already-challenging 5G environment by granting new rights to secondary users outside of the Commission’s auction framework or the secondary market,” the group said. “CTIA strongly supports protecting primary incumbents in the bands under consideration by the Commission, but the Commission should not create additional impediments that will complicate and potentially delay deployment of service.”
T-Mobile said the FCC should allocate the 64-71 GHz band for licensed use and maximize the use of the 28 and 37 GHz bands. Some commenters argue the FCC shouldn't allocate the 28 GHz band for broadband because it was not so designated at the recent World Radicommunication Conference, T-Mobile said: “The Commission already rejected this rationale as a basis not to proceed with 28 GHz mobile services rules. In this case, WRC-2015 did not reject the use of the 28 GHz band for mobile wireless -- it merely declined to designate it for study.”
The Satellite Industry Association reminded the FCC that satellite operators already are using parts of the spectrum “to provide robust broadband service today to millions of U.S. consumers, and are relying on access to that spectrum for a number of networks under construction and development.” Satellite operators have particular interest in the 28 GHz band for satellite earth stations, plus the 37 and 39 GHz, 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands, SIA commented.
Sharing is possible for some of the high-frequency bands, SIA said: But “any revised band plan that marginalizes satellite operations or limits their future growth is an incomplete and unacceptable solution for the envisioned 5G future.” Without satellites, “millions of U.S. consumers would not have access to advanced communications services at competitive rates, if at all,” the group said. “Satellite also enables terrestrial networks, by providing critical backhaul as well as the ubiquity, security, and reliability required for future 5G networks and Internet of Things applications.”
T-Mobile said the FCC should give little weight to satellite industry objections. “Satellite use of the band has always been on a limited basis and satellite users undertook operations in this band at their own risk,” the carrier said. “When the Commission authorizes the band for terrestrial mobile use, satellite companies may continue to operate on a secondary basis, on the exact same terms they do now.” Satellite operators that want primary status in the high-frequency bands “are welcome to purchase spectrum rights at auction or on the secondary market,” CTIA said: The market is “the most equitable and efficient means of balancing competing spectrum uses.”
Intel said the FCC was right in the NPRM to narrow its focus to four bands -- 28 GHz, 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 64-71 GHz. “This focus will help expedite introduction of millimeter wave (mmW) products and services to the market, and is an important foundation for U.S. 5G leadership,” the company said.
Samsung urged the FCC to expand its search for new bands for mobile broadband, including 24.25-27.5 GHz, 31.8-33.4 GHz and 31.0-31.3 GHz. “The adjacency of the 24.25-27.5 GHz range to the 28 GHz band offers exciting advantages and potential for the development of global devices,” Samsung commented. “The Commission should continue to aggressively pursue spectrum in other bands for mobile to meet the rapidly growing consumer demand for spectrum-dependent services.”
The upper boundary for unlicensed use should be extended to 72.5 GHz, Microsoft said. That would create four additional “WiGig” channels, “leading to far better utilization of the extended 60 GHz band spectrum than extension just to 66 GHz,” which would create only one new channel, the company wrote. “FCC leadership on this issue is needed to guide equipment manufacturers and ultimately drive global harmonization efforts.” WiGig is a multigigabit speed wireless communications technology that will use the 60 GHz band, using equipment certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance.