May 24, 2016–CTIA today proposed safe harbors for deployment in the 28 gigahertz, 39 GHz, and 37 GHz bands for 5G services. In an ex parte filing in GN docket 14-177, IB dockets 15-256 and 97-95, and WT docket 10-112, the trade group said, “A substantial service performance requirement with safe harbors is reflective of the technical characteristics of, nascent nature of the technology contemplated for, and proposed usage of, these spectrum bands.”

VTIA said that a “substantial service” performance requirement “would allow each individual licensee the flexibility to deploy service without unnecessary regulatory requirements.”

The safe harbors for meeting that substantial service showing should include (1) “Fixed microwave service would require four (4) links per million in population by the end of the license term;” or (2) “Mobile broadband service must be provided with 10 connections per 10,000 in population by the end of the license term;” or (3) “Mobile broadband service must be provided with a number of connections consistent with the size of the geographic service area licensed,” CTIA said.

“Given that these technologies and services are at an early stage of development, CTIA believes that employing an approach that allows license holders flexibility to respond to the demands of consumers and evolving services, rather than a rigid coverage requirement that is inconsistent with the service likely to be provided, is the correct regulatory outcome,” the filing added. —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily