WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission is working towards making 3.7 GHz to 4.2 GHz mid-band frequencies — spectrum that is coveted by U.S. mobile operators — available for 5G.
Michael Ha, deputy chief of technology at the FCC said he expects the Commission to issue a notice of proposed rule-making (NPRM) “by summer,” which will then be followed by a public comment period.
The FCC will have to decide how to move fixed satellite services off the proposed mid-band 5G frequencies. To see how that affects broadcasters, check out our recent coverage on the topic.
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Ha made his comments at the recent “The Future of Spectrum” panel held at the downtown Brooklyn NYU engineering campus, reports lightreading.com. He expects 24 GHz, 28 GHz, and 39 GHz auctions during 2019.
In Cupertino, Calif., Apple is asking the FCC for permission to conduct experimental RF tests at its Infinite Loop and Apple Park locations.
Last year, citing the FCC’s Spectrum Frontiers Report and Order, Apple applied for and was granted permission to conduct tests in the 28 GHz and 39 GHz bands at Apple-controlled facilities in Cupertino and Milpitas.
The company said those tests would help it assess cellular link performance in direct path and multipath environments between base station transmitters and receivers and contribute to 5G networks, according to fiercewireless.com. Rohde & Schwarz, A.H. Systems and Analog Devices are among the companies providing equipment for the tests.
