What's Happening?
The Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band, known for its shared-use model, is under scrutiny as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) explore options to locate additional spectrum. This has raised concerns among current CBRS users, including Charter Communications and John Deere, who utilize the band for various deployments such as wireless offloading and private networks. The FCC has opened a notice of proposed rulemaking to consider potential changes, including the possibility of increasing power levels in the band. This has sparked debate, as higher power levels could potentially disrupt existing low-power users. Industry advocates like Dave Wright from
Spectrum for the Future and Jason Wallin from the OnGo Alliance have expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding these potential changes.
Why It's Important?
The outcome of the FCC and NTIA's deliberations on the CBRS band could significantly impact various industries relying on this spectrum. For companies like John Deere, which have invested in CBRS priority access licenses, changes could mean costly relocations and adjustments to their network infrastructure. The potential shift to high-power usage could also stifle innovation by crowding out low-power users who have been leveraging the band for innovative applications. The broader telecommunications industry is closely monitoring these developments, as they could set precedents for how spectrum is managed and allocated in the future, affecting investment decisions and technological advancements.
What's Next?
As the FCC and NTIA continue their search for additional spectrum, stakeholders in the CBRS band are likely to engage in advocacy to protect their interests. The FCC's proposed rulemaking process will involve public comments and industry input, which could influence the final decisions on power levels and potential relocations. Companies currently using the CBRS band may need to prepare for possible changes by evaluating their network strategies and considering alternative solutions. The ongoing discussions will also require coordination with the U.S. Navy, an incumbent user of the band, to ensure any transitions are managed effectively.
