Dish, Other Licensees Hope to Use multichannel video and data distribution service Spectrum for 5G

A group of license holders including Dish Network hopes to persuade the Federal Communications Commission to allow the use of MVDDS spectrum for 5G wireless service, including two-way mobile broadband service. The spectrum, in the 12.2-12.7 GHz multichannel video and data distribution service (MVDDS) band, has been in the hands of licensees since 2000. Licensees currently are allowed to use the spectrum for one-way digital fixed non-broadcast service on a co-primary shared basis with direct broadcast satellite (DBS). “The 12.2-12.7 band is ideally suited to be made available for increased sharing with existing DBS services to allow new use for the 5G services,” wrote the MVDDS/5G Coalition in a petition to the FCC about MVDDS spectrum for 5G. The coalition notes that the spectrum band meets all of the criteria the FCC plans to use in evaluating the suitability of spectrum for 5G use including:

• It offers at least 500 MHz of contiguous spectrum.
• It allows for a “flexible regulatory framework.”
• It promotes international harmonization.
• It enables 5G sharing with existing incumbent license assignments and uses.
• The MVDDS/5G Coalition asks the FCC to issue a further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) to adopt the coalition’s recommendations.

The coalition’s petition already has the backing of Sen Cory Gardner of Colora, where Dish is based. Gardner last week wrote a letter to the FCC commissioners urging th