Using 42 GHz Spectrum for Broadband

The Federal Communications Commission circulated draft rules to govern the lower 42 GHz spectrum (between 42 – 42.5 GHz). This is within the range of spectrum referred to as millimeter wave spectrum. This is one of the more unusual FCC spectrum deliberations because this spectrum is totally empty – there is nobody currently authorized by the FCC to use the spectrum band. The FCC is starting this deliberation with a clean slate. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says that this gives the FCC an opportunity to come up with a spectrum-sharing model that will be easy for wireless carriers to use while maximizing the benefits for the public.The early draft rules ask the industry to comment on three different approaches to the use of the spectrum.

• A nationwide non-exclusive licensing approach, in which licensees would apply for a license and then register and coordinate specific deployment sites with a third-party database administrator.
• A site-based licensing approach, in which licensees would directly apply to the FCC for each deployment site.
• A technology-based sensing approach, in which operators would employ certain technologies to avoid harmful interference from other users of the spectrum – all coordinated locally without the use of a database administrator.