The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) has adopted a Report and Order, an Order of Proposed Modification, and two other Orders that make six megahertz of low-band spectrum available in the 900 MHz band for deployment of wireless broadband technologies and services. The 900 MHz band is currently designated for narrowband land mobile radio communications and mainly used by utility and manufacturing companies. The Commission action makes six megahertz of spectrum available for broadband licenses on a county-by-county basis, while the remaining 4 megahertz will remain available for narrowband operations. The transition will involve negotiations between prospective broadband licensees and existing narrowband licensees. The Commission also announced the partial lifting of the 900 MHz application freeze to allow existing licenses to file applications to relocate their operations as part of the transition process.
