The US Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) on Monday certified CommScope, Federated Wireless, Inc. (Federated), Google and Sony as Spectrum Access System (SAS) Administrators in the 3.55-3.7GHz band.
The FCC, Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reviewed each SAS Administrator’s Initial Commercial Deployment (ICD) report, and certified that all prospective administrators have met the SAS Administrator requirements. Companies interested in using airwaves in the 3.5GHz band will now have to partner with either CommScope, Federated, Google and Sony.
The FCC voted 3-1 in 2018 to change the rules on licenses for the 3.5 GHz (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) band to make it more attractive for providers of 5G. The change was regarded as a way to incentivize investment in the band and promote more efficient use, including for 5G.
FCC chairman Ajit Pai said, “the FCC has made it a priority to free up mid-band spectrum for advanced wireless services like 5G.” Although the tech companies must ensure that Navy and commercial satellite users have priority use of the airwaves, with other private sector users are permitted use if frequency is empty.
The FCC is also planning to auction 3.5 GHz band licenses to the private sector.
