FCC Opens The 2.5 GHz Band For 5G Wireless Services [telecom]

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by Angela Y. Kung and Christen B'anca Glenn

As part of its strategy to make additional mid-band spectrum available for Fifth Generation ("5G") wireless services, the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") recently adopted a Report and Order that revises its rules for the 2.5 GHz band - the largest contiguous band of spectrum below 3 gigahertz - in a manner that will pave the way for the Commission to auction the spectrum for commercial use next year. Specifically, the Report and Order:

• removes several restrictions on the part of the band currently designated for Educational Broadband Service ("EBS") use, in favor of allowing flexible use, in order to attract commercial investment;

• creates a priority filing window for Tribal entities interested in obtaining unassigned EBS spectrum;

• adopts procedures to conduct an overlay auction for the remaining EBS spectrum; and

• adopts county-based licensing and performance requirements for the new overlay licenses.