I was reading the FCC’s decision, (found here) to use lower 12GHz for SatCom and not for mobile broadband. While this was very long, it was packed full of useful information. However, many people misunderstand what it really means.

I had to talk to some experts to figure out exactly what this decision meant.

To give you some background quickly:

• This spectrum, 12.2GHz to 12.7GHz, 500Mhz of spectrum, is what’s being talked about. Let’s call it the lower 12GHz. Currently, it’s being used for satellite communications, like AT&T DirecTV, SpaceX’s Starlink, and DISH for satellite communications. Mostly owned by SpaceX Starlink and DISH.
• This fuss is over using 12.2GHz to 12.7GHz for terrestrial mobility. Why?
  • Well, DISH was eyeing the spectrum up for its 5G mobility service.
  • The carriers are hungry for more 5G/6G spectrum, so putting it up for auction looked pretty good.
• The FCC made a decision! (Sort of….)
  • The lower 12GHz will continue to be used for SatCom, not mobile 5G/6G. 
  • However, the FCC is seeking comments to use it for Point-to-Point (PTP) and possibly Point-to-Multipoint (PTMP) networks. This would be a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solution. It could be 5G or 6G or something else, not sure yet.
  • The FCC is also asking for comments about using it for unlicensed indoor-only networks. Again, no technology has been identified.
• FYI – the upper 12GHz spectrum, 12.7GHz to 13.25GHz which the FCC is open to repurposing. That an additional 550MHz of spectrum is still being considered for mobile or other use. More drama we can all enjoy.

No go for mobility!

So, the FCC will keep SatCom safe from mobile usage going forward. This made Elon Musk very happy, as he should be. 

This decision to block being used for mobile users makes sense since you never know where a 5G device will pop up. There is no way to track mobile devices and prevent them from interfering with a SatCom receiver. Someone could be right beside the satellite receiver and their phone could start transmitting in that spectrum. So hard to track. It’s painful when you have an interruption in service. 

Now, there has been a lot of controversy over this spectrum. Why? Because 5G spectrum is so limited. All the carriers want more and this appeared to be the prime spectrum for expansion. 

With 6G coming in 5 or so years, this became a point of contention. They were looking at mobility only. 

It wasn’t just the carriers. Investors were seeing an opportunity. Per IEEE Comsec’s blog, “Dell’s investment firm had made its purchase of 12 gigahertz airwaves via RS Access, which reached for influence inside the Beltway. It hired former House telecommunications counsel Justin Lilley, according to an October 2020 filing. Lilley’s roster of clients has included spectrum innovator Ligado Networks, wireless giant T-Mobile US, and Facebook.”

So the drama ensued when SpaceX pushed back against all of this. DISH pushed back and then flipped sides when they saw the opportunity. That would greatly enhance DISH’s 5G offer.

Mobility could have been 5G or 6G, no matter what, no mobility in the lower 12GHz but the upper 12GHz still has a shot.

What is open for Lower 12GHz?

So, to be clear, SatCom is going to continue and not change. SpaceX and DISH will continue with SatCom business as usual.

However, this spectrum is still open for licensed PTP and PTMP hops, which would be a first. It is also open to unlicensed indoor. Both of these ideas have an upside. 

So, we won’t have to worry about relocating anyone or bother with all of those interference complaints, whether they’re real or not. You know people would point the finger at the mobile users!

Unlicensed Indoor possibilities:

First, unlicensed indoor use is an interesting use case because there is literally 500MHz of spectrum that could give you the ability to connect all your devices with fiber-like broadband. You would also do indoor wireless hops, like what is being done today in 60GHz, with plenty of spectrum to make wiring large existing buildings more cost-effective. 

This is assuming the radios are cheap and integrated. That may take some time. 

Now, why would you want this? Let me count the ways.

• Connect all your Wi-Fi hotspots quickly and cost-effectively.
• Maybe connect your terminals with a secure, high-bandwidth, low-latency solution.
• Maybe connect your scanners or Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminals quickly, although they’re probably Wi-Fi today.
• Maybe for manufacturing to be on a high-speed network.
• Anything you could use Wi-Fi, 4G, or 5G for.

What about the downside?

• Do we need this? We have plenty of indoor solutions like Wi-Fi, Private 4G/5G/6G, and indoor 60GHz. 
• Will the equipment be cost-effective? Who knows?
• How slow will the market grow?

Licensed Outdoor PTP and PTMP Possibilities:

Here is where the real value will lie. As far as I know, today there are hardly any licensed PTMP systems. This would be a dream for FWA networks everywhere.

I think it’s about time we have a licensed PTMP solution. I can’t think of many right now so this could be a game-changer moving forward.

As for PTP, think about the limitations of 6GHz, 11GHz, 18GHz, and 23GHz networks. Not even 60GHz could achieve what I believe 12GHz could do. For one, most of those licenses are taken for the longer hops and the 12GHz would perform better than anything above it. I’ve done a lot of 11GHz and 18GHz hops. I know their limitations. 

With 12GHz on a PTMP network, you could do a lot more with it than has been tried with 60GHz just because this spectrum is prime spectrum for FWA. It has more spectrum than CBRS does and it could be easier to work with. 

Although, I think this makes more sense in rural connectivity solutions to extend fiber than it would in urban areas.  In a rural environment, you could possibly do more with it. This could be a better solution for all the wireless solutions being offered in rural solutions. How great would it be to have 500MHz of spectrum to work with when connecting multiple homes or businesses? 

There are still limitations like the rain and vegetation. I do think that 12GHz would be more forgiving at higher power than most solutions out there today, but I won’t be sure until it’s tested. 

How could this help the FCC track it? Mainly because if people apply for the licenses and have to coordinate each location, the FCC would know exactly where each user is. It would not be like the mobile user. 

One of the questions I keep going through in my head is what technology would work best. Could it be a 5G technology or would it make more sense to use something similar to Wi-Fi in that spectrum that is cheap and could be stand-alone? I am not sure. 

I keep trying to figure out what makes the most sense and I am not sure. Mainly because I favor 5G for everything but in this case, we have to think outside the box. 

I could see this spectrum having great value in rural deployments using PTMP systems to extend fiber for less cost than running fiber to each home. 

What about the upper 12GHz?

The great thing is that the upper 12GHz, (12.7GHz to 13.25GHz) is open for comment. The FCC will decide whether this could be used for SatCom, FWA, or Mobility. Maybe a combination of all of them. This is 550Mhz of spectrum that would be available. WOW!

If you go to page 35, section V, see the section requesting comments. 

Specifically using it for 5G This spectrum would have a lot of value for terrestrial use. I would imagine the CTIA & WIA will be all over this! The reality is that the carriers want more spectrum. This is prime spectrum. It makes sense that the FCC wants to auction it off to the highest bidder. The carriers have to be excited.