Following up on last year’s inquiry proceeding on a regulatory framework for 5G mobile services, the FCC has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing rules for certain millimeter wave (mmW) bands above 24 GHz for mobile and other uses. Among other things, the NPRM proposes rules that would (a) authorize mobile and/or fixed operations in the 28 and 39 GHz bands; (b) authorize operations in the 64-71 GHz band for such unlicensed uses as Wi-Fi-like “WiGig”; (c) authorize a hybrid license scheme in the 37 GHz band for advanced enterprise and industrial applications; and (d) grant mobile operating rights to existing Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) and 39 GHz band licensees. The NPRM also considers alternative license approaches for some mmW bands in light of incumbent licensee operations. Comments on the NPRM are due by January 26, 2016 and reply comments by February 23, 2016.
