The NAB Friday afternoon filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, asking the Court to vacate the FCC’s order authorizing unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band. In its petition, NAB argues the order unlawfully fails to protect existing licensed users in the band from potential interference arising from unlicensed operations.
The 6 GHz band is allocated for licensed use by broadcasters, public safety entities, wireless communications providers and utilities. Broadcasters use the spectrum for newsgathering and live sports events.
In the April Order, (Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band; Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz), the Commission adopted new rules permitting uncoordinated unlicensed operations across the entire 6 GHz band. NAB says the order “unlawfully fails to protect the myriad existing licensed users in the band from potential interference arising from such unlicensed use.”
Television broadcasters have both fixed and mobile operations in the 6 GHz band, which require different protective measures to be adequately insulated from harmful interference. The Order neglects to include proper safeguards for either type of broadcast operation, according to the NAB.
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