The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to make the mid-band spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band (3550-3700 MHz) available for 5G and other advanced wireless services to an array of operators.
According to a press announcement, the agency has taken actions to enable commercial deployments in the band in Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa for the first time.
The agency approved plans filed by four companies — CommScope Inc, Alphabet Inc.'s Google, Federated Wireless Inc, and Key Bridge — to coordinate private sector use of the 3.5 GHz band while protecting U.S. Navy ship radars and commercial satellites that already use the airwaves from interference.
The FCC acted to clear a way for commercial access to the segment of Citizens Broadband Radio Service that overlaps with the 3.5 GHz band. Telecom providers interested in using airwaves will have to partner with one of the four spectrum coordinators on the islands.
“No matter who you are or where you live, you need access to modern communications to have a fair shot at 21st-century success,” Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement.
Additionally, the FCC approved Federated Wireless to expand the company’s SAS operations to operate within the CBRS portion of the 3.5 GHz band. These systems are used in bands that utilize a shared-use model, such as the CBRS. This action will bring the CBRS to American Samoa for the first time.
The FCC also conditionally approved the SAS applications for Fairspectrum LLC, Nokia, and RED Technologies.
