These new rules open up nearly 11 GHz of high-frequency spectrum for flexible, mobile and fixed use wireless broadband – 3.85 GHz of licensed spectrum and 7 GHz of unlicensed spectrum. The rules create a new Upper Microwave Flexible Use service in the 28 GHz (27.5-28.35 GHz), 37 GHz (37-38.6 GHz), and 39 GHz (38.6-40 GHz) bands, and a new unlicensed band at 64-71 GHz. The FCC said the balanced approach should support exclusive use licensing, shared access and unlicensed access, in order to meet a variety of different needs and use cases.
The Commission also adopted a draft decision on applying the flexible use service and technical rules to another 18 GHz of spectrum encompassing eight additional high-frequency bands. This decision is open for public comment and also includes refinements to the performance requirements and mobile spectrum holdings policies, and the sharing framework adopted for the 37-37.6 GHz band.
The decision was largely welcomed by industry players. Mobile industry group CTIA said the decision places the US in the lead to develop 5G services, while the Wi-Fi Alliance also welcomed the adoption of more unlicensed spectrum. Verizon said the additional spectrum will facilitate its plans to launch the first commercial 5G services next year.
