FCC, Navy Expand Commercial Access to 3.5 GHz Band

The FCC, US Navy, and NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) this week announced new rules for the 3.5 GHz band, also known as block A of band 77, band 77-A, or the 3.45 GHz band. The new rules dramatically expand the "unencumbered service area" where wireless carriers can freely use this band for commercial 5G service. The US Navy maintains priority access to this band along coastlines and around federal facilities throughout the

country, via a dynamic spectrum sharing system. However the geographic area where this system is required is being reduced by an area covering 72 million people. This mid-band spectrum is ideal for good 5G service. AT&T is one of the largest users of this band. States most affected by this change include Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.