At its June 9 public meeting, the FCC unanimously approved a notice of proposed rule making that would make use of 70/80/90 GHz bands for wireless backhaul for 5G and for deployment of broadband services to aircraft and ships. These millimeter bands have gone largely unused or underused. The Commission’s proposal would make changes to the agency’s antenna rules to allow for smaller antennas in the 70/80/90 GHz bands. As the Commission’s announcement of the approval vote states: “This could lower costs, facilitate network densification, and help support the provision of backhaul for emerging 5G services.” Additionally, the proposal includes seeks comment on ways to allow use of those same bands for broadband services on aircraft in flight and ships at sea.
The 70/80/GHz band proposal is a welcome part of the FCC’s 5G Fast Plan. The Commission should be applauded for unanimously launching this commonsense undertaking to put more spectrum into use for 5G and other advanced services.
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