CTIA is urging the FCC to get a move on when it comes to the high-band millimeter wave spectrum and not pay attention to arguments that Boeing and the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) have put forth regarding more time for establishing sharing parameters between satellite and terrestrial mobile operations.
"Both satellite and terrestrial providers have documented in the public record the expected operating characteristics of their systems," CTIA told the commission. "Boeing has provided extensive simulation data, modeling both satellite and terrestrial mobile systems. Similarly, a variety of terrestrial proponents have provided link budgets and other operating characteristics, as well as their own modeling of the interference environment into the record. The Commission therefore has significant technical documentation and data to reach a decision on the technical parameters associated with future terrestrial and satellite operations in the 37 to 40 GHz band and should move forward with establishing a licensing framework for the band based upon the existing technical record."
CTIA also took the opportunity to point out that while Boeing is calling for delay, these calls are accompanied by "eleventh hour Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) filings that could frustrate Upper Microwave Flexible Use (UMFU) licensees' ability to deploy service in the bands." Boeing last week filed for permission to launch a satellite system that would use the same V-band spectrum as 5G systems.
CTIA's filing referenced a May 27 submission by Boeing in which the aerospace giant called CTIA's safe harbor proposal for UMFU "feeble" and accused CTIA of favoring spectrum sharing, but only on terms detrimental to satellite services.
Last week, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said he is confident the commission will adopt rules that will enable satellite, terrestrial and federal operations to co-exist and thrive. The full commission is set to vote on the Spectrum Frontiers Report & Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on July 14, where it's expected to open up a bunch spectrum in the higher bands.
In a speech in Stockholm, Sweden, during an event hosted by Ericsson this week, Republican Commissioner Michael O'Rielly said that if all goes according to plan, within the next few weeks the commission will adopt rules allowing wireless use in the 28, 37 and 39 GHz bands on a licensed basis and 64-71 GHz band for unlicensed.
The commission initially targeted these bands for future wireless technologies back in October 2015 because 5G testing was already underway in some bands and because they were seen as having comparatively fewer complications than other potential bands, he said. Since the notice, the commission has engaged with the incumbents – primarily other U.S. government agencies and satellite providers – on how to protect current services and provide flexibility for these operators to expand use in the future.
"While each and every detail may not be flushed out and further comment may be necessary on some issues, it appears that we are headed in the right direction and that these bands will soon be available for wireless use," O'Rielly said.
For more:
- see this CTIA filing (PDF)
- read O'Rielly's remarks
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