The FCC's proposal to create a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the 3.5 GHz band is revolutionary in many aspects, but some are concerned that this uniqueness--particularly as it applies to the spectrum band plan--might have unintended ramifications in the United States as well as globally. There is much to be decided before the 3.5 GHz CBRS is finally launched. Comments on the FCC's proceeding are due July 14, with replies due Aug. 1. Much of the focus of participants has been on the ground-breaking effort to use complicated spectrum-sharing techniques to free up the targeted spectrum. The FCC's three-tiered access and sharing model would be comprised of federal and non-federal incumbents, priority access licensees (PALs) and general authorized access (GAA) users. Yet even that basic structure is being debated. For more on the debate, check out this FierceWirelessTech special report.
