Federated Wireless debuts CBRS Spectrum Controller, gets backing from Charter, American Tower, Arris

Showing further evidence that the 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS) space is getting ready for take-off in the U.S., Federated Wireless announced the availability of its Spectrum Controller and the closing of a $42 million Series B round of funding, including strategic investments from Charter Communications, American Tower, Arris International and GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund.

The announcement means that Federated Wireless’ Spectrum Controller is now available for use by customers of all sizes that want to conduct live, integrated field trials and commercial deployments in preparation for FCC certification.

“Spectrum sharing will dramatically reduce the cost of delivering wireless services, with our technology serving as the onramp,” said Iyad Tarazi, CEO of Federated Wireless, in a news release. “The commercial availability of our Spectrum Controller and the investment of the wireless industry in the company will enable us to cement our leadership position and capitalize on the rapid industry shift to shared spectrum set to begin this year.”

The Federated Wireless Spectrum Controller allows a whole host of players to leverage CBRS as needed: mobile operators, cable operators, broadband wireless access providers, managed service providers and various enterprises across industries.

Specifically, the Spectrum Controller is an end-to-end solution for shared spectrum access, management and optimization, with key components including the Spectrum Access System (SAS), a standards-based cloud-service that delivers access to interference-free bandwidth within the CBRS band, as well as the Environmental Sensing Capability Network, a nationwide redundant network of sensors that identify and protect the federal agencies already using the 3.5 GHz band to make sure defense and government communications aren’t impacted by commercial users.

In addition, Federated Wireless’ Open Partner Ecosystem offers a large ecosystem of pre-integrated technology partners enabling integration with existing networks.

RELATED: Charter’s Cowden outlines MSO’s MVNO launch plans and dates, vEPC work and CBRS 3.5 GHz trials

Leaders from Charter, American Tower, Arris and GIC sang the praises of Federated Wireless, which for several years has been at the forefront of developing technology to make the CBRS band a reality in the U.S. In fact, the Federated Wireless Spectrum Controller comes to market following more than five years of development and nine months of industry testing by customers in the telecom, cable services and commercial property industries.

The company’s Spectrum Controller already has conditional FCC certification with full certification expected in January 2018.

RELATED: Federated Wireless CEO pleased with pace of CBRS at FCC

Tarazi told FierceWirelessTech last month that the company was quite pleased with how the FCC is approaching shared spectrum and its focus on finalizing the Priority Access License (PAL) rules related to the CBRS 3.5 GHz band. The expectation at that time was for the rules for PALs to be finalized early in 2018 and auctions for PALs potentially occurring later in 2018.