Broadband Access Coalition Suggests Addressing First 3.7 GHz Band
The Broadband Access Coalition told the FCC that as a first step on mid-band spectrum, it should approve high-throughput, licensed, point-to-multipoint (P2MP) fixed wireless broadband in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. “These P2MP links can facilitate the rapid deployment of much-needed…
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gigabit and near-gigabit fixed broadband service to rural and other underserved areas,” the group said in docket 17-183. The newly formed coalition made that proposal in a June filing at the FCC (see 1706210044). “Implementing P2MP services can be done rapidly and simply, using existing Part 101 frequency coordination procedures,” the coalition said now. “The Commission can implement rules now for the immediate deployment of P2MP broadband that will not preclude later entry into the band by mobile services.” The coalition said it has nearly 30 members led by Mimosa Networks, the Wireless ISP Association and New America’s Open Technology Institute. Electric utilities opposed opening the 6 GHz band for broadband. It's “heavily used by utilities for mission critical operations,” said the Edison Electric Institute and Utilities Technology Council jointly. The interference mitigation approaches the FCC is considering “would not be effective as a practical matter, particularly in the long term due to increases in the noise floor that would cause interference from the proliferation of unlicensed devices operating in the bands.” CBS, Disney, Scripps Networks Interactive, Time Warner, 21st Century Fox and Viacom said the FCC needs to protect the 6 GHz band. “The Content Companies rely on fixed satellite service transmissions in the C-band to ensure the reliable distribution of compelling programming to more than 100 million American television households,” they said.