Open C Band to 5G Once Incumbent Protections Guaranteed, Comcast Says

If the FCC can protect incumbent C-band video delivery services, it should quickly move on an auction process for freeing up the band and reassigning some spectrum for terrestrial wireless use, Comcast told staffers from the Wireless and International bureaus and Offices of Engineering and Technology and of Economics and Analytics (OEA), according to a docket 18-122 posting Monday. It said the C-Band Alliance (CBA) approach by contrast "runs counter to the public interest" and lacks sufficient detail to show any incumbent protections. Attendees included Wireless Chief Donald Stockdale, OET Chief Julius Knapp and OEA acting Chief Giulia McHenry. Charter Communications also opposes the CBA approach (see 1902250064). T-Mobile continued its criticisms of the CBA plan. It said it's clear there would be widespread participation in an incentive auction for C-band spectrum, creating the mutual exclusivity that triggers the need to conduct an auction under the Communications Act. The carrier said nothing in the act lets the FCC issue licenses based on negotiations among private parties to avoid mutual exclusivity. Adoption of the Auction Reform Act shows Congress "specifically rejected" what the CBA is trying to do, it said. CBA didn't comment.