Google calls out incumbents' plans for 3.5 GHz spectrum sharing as 'overprotective'

Google is fending off calls for extended perimeter protection for incumbent users in the 3.5 GHz band, calling the proposals "overprotective" and warning they could limit spectrum availability.

Federal and non-federal incumbent users operating in the 3550-3700 MHz bands vary in their support for either zone-based or boundary-based protections for radar, satellite and other mission critical operations. But Google says that some licensees recommend a blanket extension of the perimeter of protection for some or all incumbent users. Refuting comments made by energy proponents and companies including the American Petroleum Institute and Exelon, Google proposes basing interference protections for installed operations on location, antenna direction and other characteristics. At stake amid the arguments is 150 MHz of broadband spectrum, which will become available for shared commercial use as part of the Federal Communications Commission's Citizens Broadband Radio Service, a developing set of rules and policies.