The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed new rules to “unlock the mobile broadband and unlicensed potential of spectrum at the frontier above 24GHz”.
It wants to make 28GHz, 37GHz, 39GHz, and 64-71GHz bands available using schemes like “traditional wide area licensing, unlicensed, and a shared approach that provides access for local area and wide area networks.”
It said the rules would create a regulatory environment in which next-generation mobile technologies can take hold.
It was previously assumed physical and tech limitations could not support mobile service in these bands, it said in a statement.
However, now it believes new developments may allow the use of these high frequencies for mobile applications like 5G service, “with significantly more capacity and faster speeds for next generation mobile service.”
The proposition also provides a path for a variety of platforms and uses, including satellite, to coexist and expand through market-based mechanisms.
The FCC is seeking comment on the service, licensing, and technical rules for facilitating flexible use in these bands as well as on other bands above 24 GHz that may be considered in the future.
“By taking this action now, the commission begins to establish a framework to proceed in parallel with technological development in order to keep pace and help future mobile and other wireless technologies flourish,” it said.