24 GHz and 28 GHz up first with more millimeter wave auctions in the works
High-capacity millimeter wave frequencies are key to delivering the multi-gigabit-per-second speeds promised by 5G. Millimeter wave is also essential to Verizon and AT&T plans to launch 5G in select markets by the end of this year. And, today, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission made a move to open up more high-band spectrum by setting procedures for two upcoming auctions.
Beginning Nov. 14, the FCC will start Auction 101, which covers frequencies from 27.5 GHz to 28.35 GHz. That will be immediately followed by Auction 102, which covers frequencies from 24.25 GHz to 24.45 GHz and 24.75 GHz to 25.25 GHz.
According to the regulatory body, the 28 GHz licenses will be offered in two 425 megahertz blocks allocated by county; the 24 GHz licenses will be offered in seven 100 megahertz blocks based on generic blocks in each Partial Economic Area.
Scott Bergmann, SVP of Regulatory Affairs for industry association CTIA, said the FCC decision “will help the United States win the global 5G race. High-band spectrum is critical to meeting growing demand for connected devices, and will enable the internet of things and the smart cities of the future.”
In late July, U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, heard from industry experts on how to best support the spectrum needs of 5G deployment. He emphasized the economic need for the U.S. to be a global leader in the next-generation of cellular.
Kicking off the hearing, Thune said, “The 5G evolution is upon us. The race to lead the world in 5G has begun. It’s a race we must win but by many accounts we are already behind China and other nations in key areas.” He said 5G is estimated to create $275 billion in new investment, $500 billion in economic growth and 3 million new jobs. “We have the technology. But that is only part of the equation—spectrum and deployment are critical.”
Bergmann’s colleague Meredith Baker, president and CEO of CTIA, was on hand to testify. She highlighted how 5G can support widespread enterprise and industrial innovation that will touch communities throughout the country. “The key to me is what 5G enables,” she said. “Pick an industry in your state…pick a constituency that needs something. 5G will help enable innovative new solutions from tele-health to precision agriculture. We don’t want Uber for health care to start in China.”
