Yesterday Federal Communications Commission chairman Tom Wheeler channeled President John F. Kennedy in his announcement that the Commission will be issuing rules that release additional spectrum for use by 5 G devices and services. The release will also include 14 GHz of unlicensed spectrum. Mr. Wheeler wants to make 5 G a national priority given the role it plays as a platform for the internet of things. Mr. Wheeler did not come to this point overnight or by himself.
Working groups in the private sector have been making regulators aware of the spectrum requirements necessary for deploying effective 5 G networks. For example in August 2015, 4 G Americas, a wireless trade association, released a whitepaper identifying the best spectrum bands for 5 G. The paper makes the following key points:
- “Mobile spectrum bands below 6 GHz will be valuable to allow the smooth integration of 4 G and 5 G systems.
- Spectrum bands in the range above 6 GHz will offer technical challenges; however, capabilities for mobile services are possible in the higher band ranges with new radio solutions.
- A variety of bands are needed to address both coverage and capacity needs of evolved 4G and 5G systems.
- Lower frequencies have better propagation characteristics for better coverage and thus can support both macro and small cell deployments.
- Frequencies beyond those traditionally used for cellular systems, especially those above 6 GHz are important to consider.
- Higher frequencies can support wider bandwidth carriers due to large spectrum availability at millimeter-wave bands for providing very high peak data rates in specific areas where traffic demands are very high.
- Action is needed by regulators to ensure that new spectrum needs are addressed for the evolution of 4 G and additionally to address the timely introduction of 5 G by identifying new spectrum ranges to be studied in the ITU- Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).” (Source: Yahoo! Finance)
The telecommunications services sector was in the positive this morning along with other sectors in the economy so saying that Mr. Wheeler’s announcement moved mountains much less the telecom sector would be a reach.Acting as a monopoly licensor of spectrum, I suspect that wireless companies will be seeking licenses at a premium given the scarcity of the resource. Mr. Wheeler admits that the emerging technology should be driving demand for spectrum. Fortunately in this case he appears willing not to hinder deployment but issuing new rules.
