The FCC has adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which seeks comment on three specific shared licensing approaches for the 42 GHz band: (1) a nationwide non-exclusive licensing approach; (2) a site-based licensing approach; and (3) a technology-based licensing approach. The FCC seeks to provide increased access to high-band spectrum, particularly by smaller wireless service providers.
The NPRM also proposes to license the 42 GHz band into five 100 MHz channels and to protect radioastronomy services in the adjacent 42.5-43.5 GHz band by requiring that operations in the 42 GHz band do not exceed certain thresholds.
Comments are due 30 days after the NPRM’s publication in the Federal Register, which has not yet occurred, and reply comments are due 60 days after Federal Register publication.
