FCC Proposes Modernizing 3.5 GHz Band Rules for Citizens Broadband Radio Service

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to begin a proceeding to update the Citizens Broadband Radio Service. Building on years of successful interagency collaboration, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on a wide range of potential rule changes to improve the Citizens Broadband Radio Service for all current and future users of the 3.55-3.7 GHz band (3.5 GHz band). The NPRM proposes to add definitions to part 96 related to protection of federal incumbent users and modify other part 96 rules governing such protections. It also proposes to sunset rules related to the transition of grandfathered wireless broadband services in the 3.65-3.7 GHz band. In addition to the specific proposals related to federal protection, the NPRM seeks comment on, among other things, whether to align 3.5 GHz protection methodologies with those in adjacent bands, revisit our Environmental Sensing Capability approval procedures, and facilitate the continued introduction of Citizens Broadband Radio Service in areas outside of the contiguous United States.The 3.5 GHz band uses a three-tiered spectrum sharing model that protects Incumbent Access users, allows for geographically licensed operations following the FCC’s 2020 auction of Priority Access Licenses, and permits opportunistic licensed-by-rule General Authorized Access use for a wide variety of uses, including operations within factories, cities, hospitals, research centers, schools, public libraries, and utilities.