FCC Clears Way for Wireless Innovation in Lower 37 GHz Band

The Federal Communications Commission adopted new sharing rules to bolster innovative commercial uses in the lower 37 GHz spectrum band. This new framework is expected to support Internet of Things systems, wireless broadband, internet backhaul connections, and greater capacity for mobile systems. The lower 37 GHz band is currently shared by the government and commercial entities, but there are no clear sharing rules for this spectrum, which is keeping companies from moving forward with deployments. The FCC aims to promote access to this spectrum by a wide variety of entities, support innovative uses of the band, and help ensure that the spectrum is widely utilized. The Commission voted to establish a new licensing framework for this band, effectively opening up 600 megahertz of spectrum for new commercial services. The new rules establish a licensing framework to require users to obtain a nationwide, non-exclusive license, coordinate sites on an individual basis, and then register those sites.