FCC Bureaus Ask for Additional Comment on Making C Band Available for 5G

The FCC International and Wireless bureaus sought additional comment Friday on a move to make part of the C band available for 5G. “Commenters have now weighed in by supporting or opposing a variety of clearing mechanisms, and their comments raise additional issues concerning the Commission’s authority to employ elements of those mechanisms,” said a public notice in docket 18-122. “What are the enforceable interference protection rights, if any, granted to space station operators against co-primary terrestrial operations?” the bureaus ask. “Do those rights depend on the extent incumbent earth stations receive their transmissions within the United States?” The bureaus asked similar questions on rights granted to licensed or registered receive-only earth station versus co-primary terrestrial operations. The C band is one of the main alternatives the FCC is looking at to provide mid-band spectrum for 5G, a top focus of wireless carriers (see 1904190054). Comments are due 30 days, replies 45 days after Federal Register publication.