WASHINGTON�RCR Wireless reports that the Federal Communications Commission is moving forward with a spectrum sharing policy that opens more of the spectrum to mobile broadband and other uses.
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel noted the 3.5 GHz band is perceived as ideal for small cell deployments because it is a higher frequency band than those used today by wireless operators. Higher frequencies produce shorter wavelengths and therefore rely on cells that are closer together. The move aims to enable wireless broadband providers to share the spectrum with military radars and other incumbent systems.
�
�Citizens Broadband Radio Service� is how the commission describes the three-tiered commercial radio service and spectrum sharing agreement spanning 3550 MHz � 3700 MHz.
�
Incumbent users, new licensed users and unlicensed users will be able to utilize this band; unlicensed users would presumably be using Wi-Fi. The FCC said that licensed users will get �geographically targeted, short-term priority rights to a portion of the band available through future spectrum auctions.�
�
The FCC decision could be important to T-Mobile US and Sprint, which hold less spectrum than Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility.
�
