The
Citizens Broadband Radio Service is the name bestowed by the FCC on a proposed
new broadband wireless service that would be open to all, with very few
restrictions on the types of applications permitted in the band. According to
eweek.com, the FCC proposed the new service in a March 27 Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM) and planned to put it to a vote on April 17. The new service
would initially operate between 3.550 and 3.650 GHz, with room for possible
expansion to 3.700 GHz. Individual licensing would not be required and
incumbent users would be protected from harmful interference.
According
to eweek, the concept behind the new service is "to support activities
including small cell deployments, fixed wireless broadband services and
something the FCC calls general consumer use." Apparently, the flexible structure of the
plan is designed to promote experimentation by individuals as well as use by
small and large wireless service providers.
The
proposed new band begins just 50 MHz above the top end of the 9-centimeter ham
band, so it's possible that a new market for consumer-grade equipment designed
to operate at 3550 MHz could also help make more affordable equipment available
for amateur use at 3300-3500 MHz. (Tnx K8RKD)
