FCC Unanimously Votes for 2.5, 12 GHz Items, Connected Care Pilot

Regulators cleared three items circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai last week -- opening the 12 GHz band to 5G, proposing bidding procedures for a 2.5 GHz auction and unveiling the first round of selections for the agency's Connected Care pilot program (see 2101060061). Pai, who leaves next week, effectively forced a vote.

The 2.5 GHz notice had the biggest change after it was circulated, FCC officials told us. Pai proposed a single-round, sealed-bid auction design rather than the more traditional simultaneous multiple round (SMR) format (see 2101050053). The notice was changed to seek comment on both approaches (see 2101130023). The 12 GHz NPRM also had a few changes and was made more neutral Pai had proposed, officials said. Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks voted to approve the 2.5 GHz notice and Connected Care pilot and concurred on the 12 GHz NPRM, officials said.

The 2.5 GHz band is “very important,” Pai told reporters after commissioners' Wednesday meeting. “It’s midband spectrum, and we’ve made an unprecedented amount of that available for next-generation wireless services, including 5G.” It’s “the largest contiguous band of spectrum under 3 GHz” in the U.S., and getting a 5-0 vote was critical, he said.

“It’s exceptionally important we hold that 2.5 GHz auction this year,” Pai said, noting the C-band auction has been the highest grossing in FCC history. “We hope that the next commission will keep those trains running, not on time, but ahead of time if possible.” Pai “had a very open mind” on 12 GHz, and the NPRM is “phrased very neutrally.” FCC technical studies will be critical to how the rules develop, he said.

Commissioner Brendan Carr told reporters he submitted several edits on the 12 GHz item. That's “to just make sure that we are moving in a balanced way, given the various policy considerations, technical considerations.”

It’s “positive" to seek comment on an SMR auction format, said Competitive Carriers Association President Steve Berry. The 12 GHz band “has historically been underutilized, and I’m glad to see the commission adopt a neutral NPRM,” he said: “This will allow all interested parties to develop the record and address any interference concerns.”

“Making the 2.5 GHz band available through a competitive auction framework will further efforts to close the digital divide and deliver 5G,” said Scott Bergmann, CTIA senior vice president-regulatory affairs. The NPRM is “an important step forward in evaluating the rules governing the 12 GHz band to better align with today's 5G world,” said Jeff Blum, Dish Network executive vice president-external and legislative affairs. Incompas, noting the 5-0 vote, deems the 12 GHz NPRM as "launching an important conversation about expanding broadband competition and unleashing a better 5G future,” said CEO Chip Pickering.

“Expanding the 12 GHz band has the potential to make valuable mid-band spectrum available for applications that can help close the digital divide and deliver broadband in rural and Tribal areas,” said Kathleen Burke, Public Knowledge policy counsel.