The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), during its monthly agenda meeting yesterday, opened up the full 10 MHz available in the 900 MHz spectrum band (896–901 and 935–940 MHz) for licensed broadband services, with a stated goal of replacing narrowband wireless applications for electric and other utilities and converting them to broadband networks for advanced communications applications.
“The 900 MHz band provides vital spectrum access for utilities critical infrastructure and other business enterprises that have begun deploying private LTE and 5G networks over the past six years,” said FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty during the meeting.
“These private broadband networks can enable smart metering, grid modernization, enhance security and resilience, and [more precisely deliver] essential electric, gas, and water services to all Americans.”
Under the former rules, transmissions in the band were restricted to 5 MHz licenses, limiting the capability of private 5G and LTE networks. The unanimously adopted Report and Order allows licensees to open more wideband channels for a greater range of real-time smart applications to improve network efficiency. The 900 MHz band is also relatively low in the electromagnetic spectrum, allowing for propagation over wide areas.
Licensees will have three band configuration options:
- The legacy configuration of 20 wideband channels and 200 narrowband channels
- Two paired 3 MHz channels and two segments of the remaining 4 MHz to operate 159 narrowband channels
- The entire 10 MHz with two paired 5 MHz channels to deploy more broadband use cases
The transition to the new FCC rules will require some coordination with existing 900 MHz spectrum licensees to prevent interference. The order calls for “market-driven” negotiations between licensees on a county-by-county basis. However, incumbent licensees from the railroad industry expressed some concern over a negotiated transition in the order’s comment phase.
“We give operators the flexibility they need to drive efficient transitions through private agreements. It’s exactly the type of market-based approach that accelerates deployment and makes spectrum work for the American people,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said. Carr noted that enhancing wireless capabilities is an important part of his larger Build America agenda.
In a statement, Rusty Williams, president and CEO of the Utilities Technology Council (UTC), praised the inclusion of market-driven transitions. “UTC also supports the Commission’s decision to lift the freeze on the acceptance of applications for new or expanded 900 MHz narrowband operations, which will enable utilities and other critical infrastructure industries to increase the coverage or capacity of narrowband voice and data mission critical communications systems,” he said.
