2020-14064: Modernizing and Expanding Access to the 70/80/90 GHz Bands

Summary

In this document, the Commission seeks comment to explore innovative new uses of the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94 GHz, and 94.1-95 GHz bands (collectively, the "70/80/90 GHz bands"). In particular, the Commission seeks comment on potential rule changes for non-Federal users to facilitate the provision of wireless backhaul for 5G, as well as the deployment of broadband services to aircraft and ships, while protecting incumbent operations in the 70/80/90 GHz bands. The Commission seeks to promote expanded use of this co-primary millimeter-wave spectrum for a myriad of innovative services by commercial industry, and in particular, the Commission seeks to take advantage of the highly directional signal characteristics of these bands, which may permit the co-existence of multiple types of deployments. The Commission also denies two requests for partial waiver of the antenna standards for the 71-76 and 81-86 GHz bands. Because this is co-primary spectrum for Federal and non-Federal users, the Commission will coordinate any proposed rule changes with the affected agencies and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This is consistent with established practice, in that, when evaluating any band that includes a shared allocation for Federal use, the FCC will work with NTIA to evaluate potential impacts associated with any new or expanded non-Federal use of shared allocations.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 3 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 47 CFR 1 Practice and Procedure
• 47 CFR 2 Frequency Allocations and Radio Treaty Matters; General Rules and Regulations
• 47 CFR 101 Fixed Microwave Services