Size of Licenses Big Change in 3.45 GHz Auction Rules vs. Draft
A big change in the FCC 3.45 GHz auction public notice from the draft was dividing the spectrum into 10 MHz licenses, rather than 20 MHz, based on a side-by-side comparison. That means the agency will offer 4,060 new flexible-use…
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licenses in October, twice the proposed. The order addresses complaints about the two-step emissions mask. “Some commenters have suggested that the two-step … limit we adopt here could present challenges for licensees,” the order said: “The Commission will continue to engage with NTIA and other Federal partners, as well as other stakeholders, on whether there are opportunities to relax this approach while still providing sufficient protection to incumbent users.” It's “specific to the 3.45 GHz band and we take no position on whether the two-step limit adopted here will be required to protect incumbent users in any future proceedings,” it said. The FCC stuck with deadlines of April 14 for comments, April 29 for replies. The order puts increased emphasis on opportunistic use of the spectrum, similar to what’s available in the citizens broadband radio service band: “There may be potential opportunities in the future to consider steps we might take, in cooperation with NTIA and other federal partners, to effect an overall rationalization of the non-federal services in the 3 GHz band.” Both were posted Thursday (see here and here) after being approved 4-0 Wednesday (see 2103170061).