FCC Authorizes Full Commercial Deployment In 3.5 GHz Band, Advancing American 5G Leadership

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the FCC has certified four Spectrum Access System (SAS) Administrators, paving the way for full commercial operations in the 3.5 GHz band. In 2019, the FCC approved these SAS Administrators for initial commercial deployments. Jan 27’s action allows for full commercial use of this critical mid-band spectrum for broadband connectivity and 5G. 

With this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission certifies CommScope, Federated Wireless, Inc. (Federated), Google and Sony as SAS Administrators in the 3.55-3.7 GHz band (3.5 GHz band). The FCC, in consultation with the Department of Defense and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, have reviewed each SAS Administrator’s Initial Commercial Deployment (ICD) report, and they each have certified that each SAS Administrator has met the requirements in Part 96 of our rules and is authorized to make their SAS available for commercial use for a five-year term.