FCC adopts rules for next generation 5G wireless

The United States this week became the first country in the world to make spectrum frequencies above 24 GHz available for next generation wireless services. The new rules, adopted by the FCC in a unanimous vote Thursday, will make the high-frequency spectrum available for a 5G network – the next generation wireless network with fiber-fast broadband speeds.

The spectrum designated for the next generation wireless broadband network is in higher bands than currently used. "By becoming the first nation to identify high-band spectrum, the United States is ushering in the 5G era of high-capacity, high-speed, low-latency wireless networks," FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said.

“This high-frequency spectrum will support innovative new uses enabled by fiber-fast wireless speeds and extremely low latency,” the Commission said in a statement. “While 5G technologies are still under development, today’s action by the Commission to put rules in place will provide vital clarity for business investment in this area.”

Most analysts believe that 5G wireless is still several years away from commercial deployment, but carriers such as AT&T and Verizon are aggressively developing standards and testing pilots. 5G’s small cell architecture connected to fiber transforms the economics for fiber deployment in urban areas. We will continue to report on the latest 5G developments.

Links:

FCC approves spectrum for 5G advances (USA Today, July 14, 2016)

FCC Takes Steps to Facilitate Mobile Broadband and Next Generation Wireless Technologies in Spectrum Above 24 GHz (FCC, July 14, 2016)