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U.S. regulator to free up 11 GHz of licensed, unlicensed frequencies in bands above 24 GHz.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) late on Thursday voted in favour of freeing up 11 GHz of high-frequency spectrum for 5G services.
3.8 GHz of airwaves in the 28 GHz, 37 GHz and 39 GHz bands have been allocated for licensed access, while frequencies in the 64 GHz-71 GHz band have been allocated for unlicensed access.
The FCC said it wants to take a flexible approach to spectrum access rules, using a combination of exclusive-use licensing, shared access, and unlicensed access in order to meet a variety of requirements and use cases.
"Today’s order will make the United States the first country in the world to identify and open up vast amounts of high frequency spectrum for 5G applications," said FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, in a statement.
5G is expected to come in two editions, essentially. The first will make use of frequencies already in use for mobile services, which generally fall below 6 GHz. These frequencies will underpin the first wave of standardised 5G networks, which are expected to go live from 2020.
Spectrum in higher frequencies, including millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum, is due to be identified and approved for global mobile use at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19). Operators are expected to start using these airwaves for 5G from the mid-2020s onwards.
Wheeler doesn’t want to wait that long though; he first proposed re-allocating high-band frequencies in June.
"By opening up these higher frequency bands, we are making available over four times the total amount of licensed spectrum currently available for mobile. And we’re not done. We’re asking questions about opening up a significant number of other bands," he said on Thursday.
Indeed, also on Thursday, the FCC issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), requesting comments on allocating another 18 GHz of spectrum in eight high-frequency bands.
Harmonising 5G spectrum across the world will be important, which is why events like WRC-19 take place. By jumping the gun on allocating high-band frequencies now, the U.S. will need to ensure the rest of the world falls in line, so that equipment and devices are developed that support U.S. 5G networks. That said, with modern RF modules supporting an ever-increasing number of bands, it is only a minor risk.
"With today’s order, we are repeating the proven formula that made the United States the world leader in 4G: one, make spectrum available quickly and in sufficient amounts; two, encourage and protect innovation-driving competition; and three, stay out of the way of market-driven, private sector technological development," Wheeler said.
