FCC today announced fresh steps to ensure the availability of above 24 GHz spectrum for 5G wireless broadband — boosting investment in 5G and fiber.

Telecom regulator of the US said it will make the availability of an additional 1700 MHz of millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum for 5G wireless use.

The fresh steps under the aegis of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is significant because US-based telecom operators such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint are gearing up to step up investment in networks ahead of the 5G launch soon.

Will Johnson of Verizon said FCC is right to recognize the need to revamp policies at all levels to clear the roadblocks to infrastructure investment.

FCC has maintained the unlicensed use of the 64-71 GHz band, and modified Part 15 rules to allow unlicensed operation on board most aircraft during flight in the 57-71 GHz band.

FCC said spectrum in the 48.2-50.2 GHz and 40-42 GHz bands will be for satellite use.

FCC declines to cap the amount of spectrum in the 24 GHz and 47 GHz bands that a bidder can acquire in a spectrum auction. FCC incorporated 24 GHz and 47 GHz bands into the previously-adopted mmW spectrum threshold for reviewing proposed secondary market transactions.

FCC also proposes to allow more flexible FSS (fixed-satellite service) use of the 24.75-25.25 GHz band.

The regulator also sought comment on another option for terrestrial mmW licensees to meet performance obligations, which could accommodate IoT deployments and other innovative services.

FCC proposes to eliminate the cap on the amount of spectrum in the 28, 37, and 39 GHz bands that a bidder can acquire in a spectrum auction.

“Today’s wireless order will eliminate time-consuming and expensive reviews of some replacement poles without compromising the protection of historic properties, thus facilitating the wireless attachments that are essential for 5G networks,” Will Johnson said.

FCC also issued wireline order that eliminates historic preservation review when a pole is replaced with a substantially identical pole. The order consolidates the Commission’s historic preservation review rules and procedures, currently in a variety of rules and orders, into a single rule, making it simpler to find, understand, and comply with the rules.

“Today’s wireline order removes legacy barriers to infrastructure deployment, enabling providers to hasten customers’ transition from legacy copper networks to faster and more reliable technologies, such as fiber,” Will Johnson said.

Baburajan K