The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted new spectrum rules that will expand the use of frequency spectrum currently reserved for fixed and mobile services.
The changes, detailed in a Report and Order issued by the Commission, will establish a new licensing framework for the lower 37 GHz spectrum band. The changes will open up 600 megahertz of spectrum for new commercial services, including Internet of Things (IoT) systems, wireless broadband, and Internet backhaul connections. It will also expand capacity for mobile systems.
The Report and Order also prioritizes military uses in the 37 to 37.2 GHz portion of the band. However, it will require licensees to start operations within one year of registering a site.
The FCC says that the affected spectrum is currently shared by both government and commercial entities, but that there are no clear sharing rules for the spectrum. This limitation is reportedly delaying companies in their efforts to move forward with deployments.
The FCC’s Report and Order on its changes to the lower 37 GHz spectrum band is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-25-24A1.pdf.
