The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted service rules for the use of spectrum in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 92-95 GHz millimeter wave bands. The rules initiate commercial use of these bands for the first time.

The new rules call for a non exclusive licensing approach that will provide protection from interference based on the date that licensees register in a national database. Licensees generally will receive interference protection on a link-by-link basis. Traditional frequency coordination between users will not be required of licensees.

The FCC is taking a different approach in its licensing requirements partly because of the “pencil-beam” characteristics of the signals transmitted in these bands. The 71-76 GHz, 8186 GHz and 92-95 GHz bands have wavelengths of about three to five millimeters, according to a statement by Commissioner Kevin J. Martin. Systems can be engineered to operate in close proximity without causing interference. 

Expected applications for systems using these bands include high-speed wireless local area networks, broadband wireless access systems for the Internet, point-to-point links and point-to-multipoint configurations.

The FCC originally proposed rules for the commercial use of these bands in June of 2002. Its action came after Loea Communications Corp. filed a petition for the establishment of service rules for the licensed 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands, following Loea’s experimentation with the technology.

The 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 92-95 GHz bands are allocated to both federal government and non-federal government users on a co-primary basis. However, the 94.0-94.1 GHz portion is allocated for exclusive federal government use.

The FCC is also permitting unlicensed, indoor use of the 92.0-94.0 GHz and 94.1-95.0 GHz bands by non-federal government users. This unlicensed indoor use will be governed by Part 15 of the FCC’s rules and will be based on existing regulations for the 57-64 GHz band. The FCC will not permit unlicensed use of the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands at this time.

The three bands combined represent a total of 12.9 GHz of spectrum that non-federal government entities will be able to use.

-- Kurt Mackie