The Federal Communications Commission today took action to make six megaHertz of 900-MHz spectrum available for the development of critical wireless broadband technologies and services.
The 900 MHz band is currently designated for narrowband land mobile radio communications and primarily used by land transportation, utility, manufacturing, and petrochemical companies.
Broadband access will enable industries to leverage technologies for applications like private LTE networks supplying Voice over LTE, grid resiliency and monitoring, wildfire mitigation and enhanced cybersecurity, for example.
Utilities say they are eager to use broadband to modernize the electric grid. Southern California Edison, a utility in a state hard-hit by fires in recent years, predicts that broadband will enable innovative monitoring technologies that will help utilities detect and extinguish fires caused by downed power lines, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says.
The item approved today makes 6 MHz available for broadband licenses on a county by-county basis while reserving the remaining 4 MHz of spectrum for continued narrowband operations.
The change will enable next-generation, mission-critical applications not available on the current narrowband systems.
Specifically, the Commission approved a Report and Order, an Order of Proposed Modification, and two Orders that realign the band and establish a transition mechanism for prospective broadband licensees and existing narrowband incumbent licensees.
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