On Monday, January 27, 2019, the FCC released a Public Notice (“Notice”) announcing that the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Office of Engineering and Technology (“WTB/OET”) approved four Spectrum Access System (“SAS”) Administrators in the 3.55-3.7 GHz band (3.5 GHz band), certifying CommScope, Federated Wireless, Google, and Sony as SAS Administrators for full commercial operation in the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam for a five-year term.
The Notice outlines the ongoing compliance obligations for these SAS operations, which include complying with all Commission rules and policies on interference reporting and protection criteria, protecting federal incumbent operations in and near the 3.5 GHz band, and other reporting requirements.
The Notice also reminds Grandfathered Wireless Broadband Licensees that the transition for grandfathered operations will generally end either on April 17, 2020, or at the expiration of their license term, whichever is later. The Notice encourages other wireless operations in the 3650-3700 MHz band that do not have protected incumbent status to contact the SAS Administrators to consider integrating their operations into the CBRS.
Chairman Pai released a statement applauding this action as well.
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