The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comment on a wide range of changes to its rules applicable to frequency bands used by the Citizens Broadband Radio Service.
According to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued in mid-August, the Commission seeks to strengthen current protections for federal incumbent users of the 3.55-3.7 GHz band (also referred to as the 3.5 GHz band) by modifying portions of its Part 96 rules and adding additional definitions. The Commission also proposes to sunset rules related to the transitioning of grandfathered wireless broadband services operating in that band.
As part of the NPRM, the Commission is also seeking public comment on whether to align protection methodologies applicable to the 3.5 GHz band with those applicable in adjacent frequency bands, as well as suggestions on how to expand the deployment of Citizens Broadband Radio Services outside of the contiguous U.S.
The FCC says that its NRPM is part of its larger effort to facilitate greater and more efficient spectrum use.
The FCC’s NPRM in connection with operations in the 3.55-3.7 band is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-86A1.pdf. Comments on the proposed rule changes can be filed until mid-September through the FCC’s Electronic Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs (reference GN Docket No. 17-258).
