The FCC plans to begin the 2.5GHz auction in July. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel calls it “the single largest swath of contiguous mid-band spectrum we have below 3 GHz,” in a speech before the Mobile World Congress on Tuesday.
“The airwaves available in this auction are going to help extend 5G service beyond our most populated areas,” says Rosenworcel. Then the agency will work with federal partner agencies to open up the next tranche of mid-band spectrum in the 3.1-3.45 GHz band.
Preparing for 6G
Rosenworcel also says it’s time to start thinking about 6G. Acknowledging that it’s still early days, she notes, “if we have learned anything from our experience rolling out 5G, it’s that wireless policy matters for economic and national security. That’s true in the United States and true globally. So, let’s acknowledge that it is time to start thinking seriously about what 6G means.”
Much of the research concerning 6G centers around transmitting data in ultra-high frequencies — in the hundreds-of-GHz or even the terahertz range. However, Rosenworcel explains the evolution of millimeter wave spectrum and 5G taught everyone the bands are fragile. “While there’s a lot of this spectrum available for wireless use, it doesn’t travel very far and right now it is awfully costly to deploy,” she emphasizes.
That needs to be figured out and mid-band spectrum needs attention as well. “I believe for 6G, we need to start planning now to identify spectrum in the 7-15 GHz range that can support faster speeds and wider coverage,” Rosenworcel notes. “I also believe it’s not too early to harmonize these efforts across the world. That’s how we will help ensure this next-next-generation effort can reach everyone, everywhere.”
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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