Making the 3.5 GHz range more 5G-friendly in the U.S.

Thursday 7 Sep 2017 | 1-6 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.5 GHz | C-band | CITEL | English | Policy Position Paper | Spectrum allocations | Spectrum harmonisation | Spectrum licensing | Spectrum management | Uncategorized | United States |

Making the 3.5 GHz range more 5G-friendly in the U.S. image

For operators to be able to keep up with growing data and coverage demands new spectrum for mobile broadband is needed. The 3.5 GHz IMT range has become a primary contender for underpinning the first 5G networks. Expanding and making the band more 5G-friendly in the U.S. would benefit mobile broadband subscribers around the world.

The 3.5 GHz IMT range offers an ideal opportunity to help meet this demand. The range will be one of the first frequencies to carry 5G traffic. Therefore it becomes a critically important band for mobile operators seeking to offer next generation services. Across Asia and Europe governments and regulators are getting behind using the band for 5G in a big way.

High-quality 5G services

The U.S. Citizens Broadband Radio Service approach was a novel idea when it was first pitched and subsequently approved. However, if U.S. mobile broadband subscribers want high-quality 5G services, some changes to the model are necessary. In a filing with the FCC, GSMA’s chief regulatory officer John Giusti highlights the need for longer license terms and a renewal expectancy to support investment in mobile services in the band.

So, the FCC has the chance to further help make the U.S. a 5G leader by enhancing the rules and allocation for 3.5 GHz, a globally important band for 5G services. It is an opportunity it shouldn’t pass up.