5Gfor12GHz Coalition Hoping for FCC Action This Year

The FCC has the evidence it needs to act quickly on an order allowing wireless broadband in the 12 GHz band, said Incompas CEO Chip Pickering Wednesday on a 5Gfor12GHz Coalition call. Speakers cited a RKF Engineering Solutions study that said 5G and non-geostationary fixed satellite service deployments can coexist (see 2105100028). The RKF and a Brattle economic study “provide the commission with the clear evidence they need to move forward,” Pickering said. With infrastructure legislation moving through Congress, “we’re about to see significant sums of fund for the national commitment of broadband connectivity,” he said: “This can be done, and should be done, this year.” Coalition members tied the opening of the spectrum to the FCC’s focus on broadband deployment. “The ever-increasing demand for network utilization is forcing us to explore new technologies and methods to build networks faster and with more capacity,” said ISP Xiber CEO Stephen Hon. Xiber uses spectrum mainly for wireless backhaul. Access to 12 GHz “would be a remarkable tool,” he said. “The sheer volume of spectrum available, as well as the location of the band, could enable higher capacity links over longer distances.” Congestion in other bands and the cost of deployment means “many times we and other providers have to turn down customers and communities” seeking service, Hon said. Companies like infrastructure provider Tilson need “every possible tool at our disposal to bridge the gap,” said CEO Josh Broder. Using 12 GHz will let the company “reach more communities with much-needed, high quality broadband,” he said. “It is laughably premature to declare” the RKF study “provides ‘clear evidence’ of any kind whatsoever,” said Eric Graham, OneWeb director-government and regulatory engagement, North America. “The study was only made available on Monday to stakeholders offering broadband in the 12 GHz spectrum, like OneWeb, and we are now beginning to identify the flaws in it,” he said. The current rules for the band “guarantee every American, no matter their location, will have access to at least one satellite broadband network in a matter of months,” he said: “That is more than the MVDDS licensees can offer, regardless of how many secret studies they commission.”