Today the FCC voted to get comments on proceedings for a proposed auction for Priority Access Licenses (PALs) of 3.5GHz Band.
The 3.5 GHz band holds the potential to be prime spectrum for 5G services, which would mean expanding the capabilities of bringing 5G Internet to homes and businesses across the US. The Commission has scheduled the auction known as Auction 105 to open up for bidding on June 25, 2020.
According to a press release by the FCC, “The action taken today is another step toward implementing FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s 5G FAST plan, which is critical to securing American leadership in 5G and boosting economic growth, job creation, and America’s global competitiveness.”
In a statement, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said she’d like to request speeding up the Auction to this year as they’ve already been shown early interest in the 3.5GHz band by companies that support industrial operations and healthcare, in addition to interest shown by typical carriers.
“Earlier this year I wrote in WIRED that if the United States wants to lead in the next generation of wireless service, we have work to do.” Commissioner Rosenworcel said. “It starts with this agency making it a priority to auction mid-band spectrum. It is the only way we can extend the promise of competitive 5G wireless service to everyone, everywhere across the country. So I support today’s decision, which—at long last—kicks off a process to bring mid-band spectrum to market.”
“In fact, the 3.5 GHz band is a terrific place to start. That’s because our policies in this band build on a long tradition of spectrum innovation in the United States. When it comes to wireless policy, we have a history of embracing the ideas that are cool, kooky, and new before anyone else,” Rosenworcel said.
This news comes after Amazon asked the FCC earlier for permission to test Internet service through the 3.5 GHz band, along with their plan to launch 3,236 satellites to begin building their own home Internet service.
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