Reference FCC FNPRM: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-366780A1.pd
What this notice will do:
"Seek comment on the process for sunsetting amateur use in the 3.3-3.5 GHz band"
the upper end is expected to be reallocated by mid-2022
The lower end commercial use is TBD, but this zillion mph freight train is coming, and we may have 3 to 5 years of sunset use, based on comments to this FNPRM.
Nearby allocation for part 97 is TBD, and not a given.
Joe AE6XE
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The FCC commented: "Notwithstanding the utility of amateur operations in this band, operators that chose to construct networks in this band did so despite the fact that the amateur allocation was secondary and entirely subject to current or future primary operations." (p13n37 & p53n20) This acknowledges that amateur services within this spectrum have been useful and important, but declares that we have never had any guarantee of being able to operate there since these allocations are subject to FCC rulemaking. In their view, amateurs already have dozens of other options: "Amateur operators have sufficient alternative bands for their operations, therefore these licensees will be permitted to relocate themselves to the existing amateur spectrum most appropriate for their operations." (p47n3 & p9n20) The FCC states that we "have access to a large number of other bands. These include bands with similar characteristics and operations such as the 2.39-2.45 GHz and 5.65-5.925 GHz bands, as well as dozens of others." (p13n35 & p53n20) It would be great if we could develop high speed data networking options in some of the other bands available to us.
We've been locked in as a secondary allocation in 5GHz. The other allocations have been, for many years, radio location and unlicensed wifi (up to ch 169) and DOT vehicle safety (170 to 184 of our band edge 5925). It's just that the DOT and vehicle manufactures have not deployed to consume the allocation in any significant way. This was always going to happening for many years, just a question of time--the primary DOT allocation will generate significant noise, but at the street level, not used at tower sites.
The FCC 5GHz NPRM doesn't change our part 97 secondary allocation, rather it is proposing that unlicensed wifi increase a few more channels and DOT reduce a few. This is expected to go through the courts as the DOT had related Congressional actions to drive the vehicle safety needs. Millions and probably billions of $$ investment to develop the technology has already occurred based on the prior primary 5GHz allocation. The reduction of bandwidth for the DOT throws a monkey wrench in the investment to date. As this all plays out, our secondary allocation stays the same.
It is in ham radio's best interest for the primary to continue to be the DOT. We do not compete at tower sites. If more channels go to unlicensed wifi, it is more difficult to compete and use these channels, we are squeezed into fewer channels in 5GHz. Our ability to co-exist with unlicensed wifi is to source power amps to get above the unlicensed wifi, just enough power to operate. unlicensed wifi is an additional allocation, not primary, consequently wifi devices have to accept interference from ham radio part 97. The primary allocation in the unlicensed wifi space in 5GHz is still radio location, e.g. Doppler, and other government users.
Joe AE6XE
;-)
https://cavellmertz.com/2020/08/20/fcc-extends-filing-deadline-for-c-ban...
Joe AE6XE