The
FCC voted Wednesday to update its rules for the 2.5 GHz band to make
this mid-band spectrum available for advanced wireless services. The 2.5
GHz band is the single largest band of contiguous spectrum below 3 GHz.
It offers favorable coverage and capacity characteristics for
next-generation mobile services, according to the Commission. The
contentious vote partially split along party lines, with the majority
Republicans saying the band is underutilized and the minority Democrats
countering the item is unfair to the schools and educational systems
that now use the spectrum.
Inside Towers reported Commissioner Brendan Carr has
been querying some current users of the so-called Education Broadband
Services (EBS) spectrum, saying some are not using the funds for the
purpose which they’re intended, but diverting the money to other uses —
like political purposes. “We need to get to the bottom of these shady
practices. Strong enforcement is especially important right now, because
this order allows national nonprofits and all other 2.5 GHz license
holders to sell their licenses potentially at great profit.”
Carr also says the current 30 percent build-out obligation is “out of
step” with the performance requirements the agency imposes on other
wireless licensees and should be raised to 80 percent. The Report &
Order doesn’t specify that, he said, but creates a way to do so in the
future. Continue Reading
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