It looks as though Siemens will be one of the first companies to use a Spectrum Access System (SAS) and Environmental Sensing Capability (ESC) now that it has inked a deal with Federated Wireless.
The two companies signed a partner agreement to provide spectrum access and management to current and future Siemens customers in the 3.55 - 3.7 GHz band. As part of their agreement, Federated Wireless and Siemens also will jointly develop shared spectrum solutions for the 3.55 - 3.7 GHz band.
Federated Wireless' CINQ XP platform is built on a foundation of shared spectrum and uses the SAS to dynamically allocate and manage spectrum resources. The company says the ESC is essential to open access to the 3.65 GHz band nationwide in order to ensure interference-free operation for federal incumbents and other users.
The FCC in April voted to put final rules in place for establishing what it calls the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the 3.5 GHz band, where a variety of users will share spectrum based on a three-tiered system. Federated Wireless' SAS and ESC are currently being reviewed by the FCC for commercial approval. Federated Wireless is part of a group of companies that announced their intent to build a robust ecosystem for CBRS; others include Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), Intel, Nokia (NYSE:NOK), Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) and Ruckus Wireless.
Federated Wireless says its CINQ XP platform provides a range of shared spectrum services, enabling OEMs with the tools needed to operate wireless equipment on shared spectrum.
While grandfathered licensees of the 3.65 GHz band can continue to operate their networks in their current state for several years, there are many reasons why Siemens would want to transition to the new CBRS rules, according to a press release. At the heart of the CBRS rules, the FCC has required employment of a SAS to authorize and manage the use of CBRS spectrum. The SAS is designed to protect the higher tier operations from interference while also maximizing frequency capacity for all CBRS operators.
"With a SAS connection through our CINQ XP platform, Siemens customers and other grandfathered licensees can continue to expand and evolve their networks and related services; for example, moving or adding a new radio outside their current protection zone," said Ken Stewart, Federated Wireless' SVP of Sales and Business Development. "Additionally, connection to our CINQ XP platform would provide interference-free managed access to spectrum resources ensuring high service levels with more efficient and reliable operations."
Companies that are currently operating in the 3.65 GHz band consist mainly of utilities providers, oil and gas companies and rural telecommunications operators.
For more:
- see the press release
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