Expanding 5G Pipeline and Licensed Lower 3 GHz Band, Key to 5G Success in the U.S.

The U.S. needs to expand its 5G spectrum pipeline and license the lower 3 GHz band for commercial use in order to keep pace with other countries that are moving aggressively to make mid-band spectrum available for next-generation 5G networks, according to a new study from Analysys Mason. The study finds that the U.S. has no licensed spectrum today in a key swath of mid-band spectrum from 3.3-3.6 GHz, while other benchmark countries that have made these airwaves available average nearly 200 megahertz. If the U.S. government moved quickly to make the lower 3 GHz band available for commercial 5G operations, the U.S. would become a "leading benchmark" country in this area, according to Analysys Mason. "The FCC is making great progress with the auctions of 3.5 GHz and 3.7 GHz mid-band spectrum this year.  This study shows how crucial it is for the U.S. to replicate that success particularly in the lower 3 GHz range," said Meredith Attwell Baker, CTIA President and CEO. "The Administration and the FCC need to develop a meaningful plan to make at least 250 megahertz in the lower 3 GHz band available for commercial use on terms that will allow robust 5G deployments—and quickly." Mid-band spectrum is the key to 5G networks because of its blend of capacity and range. A report earlier this year from Analysys Mason showed that the U.S. needs to effectively double its amount of mid-band in order to keep pace with Japan, China, South Korea and other countries.