• November 2, 2023

• News

•  Industry News

• Share

When discussing how to use different bands of radio spectrum most effectively, the best type of use for the lower 3 GHz band is more efficient use. To satisfy commercial wireless and military needs, this critical band should be segmented not shared. Segmentation will allow the military to be compensated for retuning or decommissioning outdated equipment, and the United States will get critical mid-band spectrum in line for 5G.

Looking at U.S. radio spectrum, the government holds approximately two-thirds of it with the military being the largest holder. The miliary experiences coexistence between 5G in this spectrum band and radar systems with at least 10 installations in the lower 3 GHz band, including:

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is expected to share a proposal on sharing the spectrum. However, sharing would essentially make this band unusable due to the military low power requirements. Segmenting the band would be the solution that can make this band work.

Regardless of what happens in the lower 3 GHz, there is a shortage of available midband spectrum. While Congress and the FCC manage DoD’s concerns, policymakers should identify a healthy amount of additional spectrum for commercial use, such as in the 4 GHz and 7/8 GHz bands. This will allow companies in the U.S. to maintain their global wireless innovation leadership while also providing American consumers with the best mobile connectivity possible.

---

Sources:

fiercewireless.com/wireless/segmentation-best-path-lower-3-ghz-band-elaluf-calderwood

lightreading.com/5g/ctia-releases-study-in-pursuit-of-lower-3ghz-band