FCC Moves to Enable Use of 10 MHz of Spectrum for Mobile Broadband

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order opening 10 megahertz of spectrum in the bands 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz (H Block) for commercial licensing. By enabling 10 megahertz of spectrum to be used for mobile broadband, the Report and Order furthers the FCC’s efforts to ensure that the Nation’s wireless networks have the capacity, speed and ubiquity to keep pace with consumers’ expectations and ever rising demand for mobile services.

It is also a step towards meeting its obligation under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Spectrum Act) to license 65 megahertz, including the 10 megahertz in the H Block, by February 2015. The Report and Order pairs the two bands that comprise the H Block, and establishes that the paired bands will be licensed on an Economic Area basis and auctioned through a system of competitive bidding. In addition, the Report and Order sets technical rules to help ensure that operations in the H Block do not cause harmful interference to PCS downlink operations, consistent with a requirement in the Spectrum Act. Finally, the Report and Order adopts flexible use regulatory, licensing, and operating rules for H Block licensees.