FCC Asks Broad Series of Questions about 1755-1780 MHz Band
Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn circulated a rulemaking notice seeking broad comment on the future use of the 1695-1710, 1755-1780 and 2155-2180 MHz bands. The NPRM circulated before the July 4 break, but just popped up on the commission’s public circulation list, agency officials said Monday. The notice is light on “tentative conclusions” and largely follows up on last year’s spectrum law, officials said. It also mentions a CTIA request that the FCC identify spectrum for distributed antenna systems.
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The 1755-1780 MHz band is the top target of the wireless industry among all bands now used by the federal government for reallocation for wireless broadband. Carriers hope that spectrum will be paired with the 1695-1710 MHz spectrum, federal spectrum which NTIA sees as ripe for sharing (http://1.usa.gov/Vu1cdK). But time is short to make a decision since the 15 MHz of spectrum identified by the NTIA for commercial use under the spectrum law must be licensed by Feb. 22, 2015, all but forcing an auction of the spectrum in late 2014, FCC officials note.
A June report by the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee recommended the 1695-1710 MHz band be shared with commercial users, though with exclusion zones around 27 sites to protect federal meteorological-satellite receive operations (http://1.usa.gov/11Ymajv). Carriers are willing to give up on the remainder of the 1755-1850 MHz band for 10 years if they're able to get quick access to just 1755-1780 MHz spectrum, industry officials said last month (CD June 19 p7). CSMAC is teed up to meet again next Thursday.
In a May speech to CTIA, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel urged the commission to auction the 2155-2180 MHz band next year, “along with an additional right -- the right to work with the federal incumbents in the 1755-1780 MHz band.” Doing so will “raise the value of the 2155-2180 MHz spectrum -- by the amount the winning bidder allocates to purchasing the exclusive right to negotiate with federal incumbents,” she said then (http://bit.ly/12se7Ns). “This frees the Commission from pricing a right of first refusal or any other scheme we could come up with. Moreover, ... it will create opportunity for specific parties to negotiate with federal users and come up with creative ideas for near-term testing, sharing, and even long-term relocation."
"We are supportive of the FCC’s efforts to continue the process of reallocating additional bands of spectrum to commercial use,” said Chris Guttman-McCabe, CTIA executive vice president, via email. “Securing access to the 1755 to 1780 MHz band in time for it to be auctioned with the 2155 to 2180 MHz band is a top priority for the industry. Additionally, CTIA suggested in March that the Commission should closely evaluate the 2095 to 2110 MHz band, as it is ideally suited for pairing with the 1695 to 1710 MHz band. Any actions on the part of the FCC and NTIA to move these proceedings forward in a timely manner are greatly appreciated."