Infrastructure
FCC Acts to Expand Access to Spectrum Sharing in American Territories
Chairwoman Rosenworcel has been a longtime supporter of spectrum sharing, and these actions advance that aspect of her agenda.
Spectrum
The use of radio frequency spectrum enables the delivery of high-speed wireless Internet access. Whether licensed, unlicensed or shared, radio frequency spectrum is the critical resource for wireless communication. The Communications Act of 1934 gave the FCC authority to auction spectrum, but that auction authority expired in March 2023.
FCC
Sen. Mike Lee Promotes Bills Valuing Federal Spectrum, Requiring Content Moderation Disclosures
April 5, 2021 – Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said Friday spectrum used by federal agencies is not being utilized efficiently, following legislation he introduced early last year that would evaluate the allocation and value of federally-reserved spectrum. The Government Spectrum Valuation Act, or S.553 and
EBB
Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr Optimistic About Finding Common Ground at Agency
March 24, 2021 — Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr said the regulator has since 2017 seen what he wanted: Broadband speed increases and lower prices. “The approach we adopted in 2017 is working,” he said at the Free State Foundation’s 13th annual telecom policy conference on Tuesday.
FCC
In Call For Open Radio Access Network, FCC Chairwoman Points to Security and Cost Savings
March 18, 2021—The FCC on Wednesday launched its first official inquiry into the status and trajectory of open radio access network technology, with the acting chairwoman suggesting the search for new network vendors must ramp up. The open RAN movement has gained significant momentum since Huawei wa
FCC
Federal Communications Commission Approves Auction Rules For 3.5 GigaHertz Band
March 17, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission voted on a handful of items pertaining to the upcoming 3.45-3.55 GigaHertz (GHz) spectrum auction’s rules and bidding process. Rules regarding the facilitation and operation of the 100 megahertz between 3.45 GHz and 3.55 GHz were voted on Wednesda
FCC
FCC’s Brendan Carr Offers Roadmap for Future Spectrum Auctions at Mid-Band Radio Frequencies
March 16, 2021— Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr said he is looking ahead toward spectrum bands that could potentially be auctioned off in the future. Speaking at a Monday event hosted by the American Enterprise Institute, Carr offered a roadmap for several bands that he would like t
FCBA
Industry Experts Fight Over Whether Satellite Tech Should Monopolize 12 GigaHertz Band
March 8, 2021—Experts are divided about how the 12 GigaHertz (GHz) spectrum should be utilized in the wake of the historic C Band auction, which would primarily be used by satellite technologies. Representatives from some of the largest wireless providers quarreled in a lively exchange on March 4 as
Defense Department
FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Proposes Opening Mid-Band Spectrum For Sharing
February 23, 2021—Amid the search for more spectrum, Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Tuesday released a draft order that would clear spectrum for 5G deployment and auctioning. Rosenworcel shared her plan for opening and auctioning the 3.45-3.55 GigaHertz (G
Spectrum
Pandemic’s Focus on Wi-Fi Bottlenecks Lights a Fire Under Next-Generation Wireless in Homes
February 22, 2021—Wi-Fi capacity at home has become a focal point during the pandemic, which makes getting ahead of the next-generation of the technology crucial, experts said at a panel on February 9. That includes releasing valuable spectrum to enhance capacity of the new sixth-generation and beyo
Defense Department
In Session at TPRC, Michael Calabrese of New America Emphasizes Vital Role of Spectrum Sharing
February 18, 2021—The United States must institute a spectrum sharing policy to maximize efficient use of the critical airwaves, the director of New America’s Wireless Future project said Thursday. Michael Calabrese, of the non-profit foundation long-standing project focusing on radio frequency spec
FCC
Three Federal Agencies Partner to Promote Cooperation in Radiofrequency Spectrum Innovation
February 2, 2021 – The Federal Communications Commission on Monday announced a formal agreement to work with the National Science Foundation, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the Commerce Department, in support the Spectrum Innovation Initiative. This initiative,
Infrastructure
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr on the Future of Spectrum Sharing
The United States has rapidly increased its cell tower construction over the past four years.
Geostationary
Utilizing Spectrum To Its Maximum Potential Relies On the Hard Work of Spectrum Engineers
November 8, 2020 — The future of the spectrum industry relies on engineers developing processes to squeeze the most out of each band of spectrum, said a panel of spectrum policy experts contributing to a Federal Communications Bar Association webinar on Thursday. “There is no new, greenfield spectru
BBLO
Thomas Hazlett, Former FCC Chief Economist, Seeks to Understand the Law and Economics of Media Regulation
August 25, 2020 — Thomas Hazlett, an American economist whose research focuses heavily on regulatory measures within the communications sector, was researching cable television when his interest was peaked on broadcasters’ use of the airwaves. Hazlett, who had earned his Ph.D. in economics from UCLA
FCC
Systematic Procedures Could Result in Public Licensees Getting Spectrum Rights Stripped
July 21, 2020 — The Federal Communications Commission has been undergoing a massive effort to convert additional spectrum to be used by mobile carriers or in unlicensed wi-fi operations, repurposing radio spectrum from operators utilizing it in the 6 GigaHertz (GHz) band, the 4.9 GHz band and TV Whi
auctions
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Praises Broadband Tower Workers as Part of Broadcasting Spectrum Repack
July 13, 2020 — Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai praised the role of broadband tower workers in facilitating a recent “broadcast repack” as part of the agency’s broadcast incentive auction. The repack saw several television broadcasters change their frequencies to make room for wi
