T-Mobile, Charter spar over CBRS, spectrum sharing models

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently released a report that shows Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) is working. However, CBRS opponents, led by CTIA, insist that CBRS remains an unproven experiment in spectrum sharing, with constraints like low power levels that make it impossible to provide broad coverage. It’s top of mind as the nation’s policy makers develop a national spectrum strategy and various sharing models. Charter deems the CBRS band a success, while T-Mobile basically doesn’t want to see it duplicated in any way, shape or form. While T-Mobile doesn’t want to see the CBRS structure replicated, it agrees that there’s a need for some spectrum sharing framework going forward. But sharing needs to have equitable access and full power access or there will never be full buy-in by entities like T-Mobile, according to Hunter. Of recent past auctions, CBRS was the lowest revenue generator, he said, adding that’s because there are so many impediments associated with the band.