GSMA Seeks Contiguous 80-100 MHz Per Carrier in 'Prime 5G Mid-Bands'

Regulators should make significant new harmonized mobile spectrum available for 5G, including 80-100 MHz of contiguous spectrum per carrier in “prime 5G mid-bands” and upward of 1 GHz per operator above 24 GHz, GSMA reported. Questions are especially relevant headed into next year’s World Radiocommunication Conference, GSMA said Tuesday. “Our 5G future depends heavily on the decisions governments are making in the next year as we head into WRC-19,” said Brett Tarnutzer, GSMA spectrum head. “Without strong government support to allocate sufficient spectrum to next generation mobile services, it will be impossible to achieve the global scale that will make 5G affordable and accessible for everyone. ... This hinges on governments focusing on making enough spectrum available, not maximising auction revenues.” The Free State Foundation urged the FCC to act to open the L and 5.9 GHz bands for 5G "with dispatch looking towards repurposing this band for the use of unlicensed Wi-Fi services,” FSF said of the latter band, which is also attracting tech industry attention (see 1811050030).