Action urged by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) came to fruition last week when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to make more spectrum available for high-speed internet connectivity in America’s rural communities.
“Without access to broadband and cell service our rural communities are being left behind,” Sen. Daines said on Oct. 26. “Access to reliable broadband and cell service is vital for Montana’s future economic growth. I’m glad the FCC listened and implemented a plan that will expand broadband access for more Montanans.”
The FCC voted on Oct. 23 to create county-sized licenses for the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band that, in turn, will permit rural broadband providers to purchase licenses for enlarging wireless broadband networks across the United States. The 3.5 GHz spectrum band also is necessary for mobile carriers to increase next-generation 5G wireless technology.
Sen. Daines was among three lawmakers who sent an April 16 letter to FCC commissioners regarding the commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on changing how licenses are issued in the 3.5 GHz band, which they wrote “holds great potential for next-generation connectivity and for ensuring that America is a leader in 5G and can also provide a cost-effective solution for delivering fixed wireless broadband in rural areas.”
One of the issues considered by the FCC in its proceeding regarded the size of the geographic areas where the 3.5 GHz band would be licensed. Sen. Daines and his colleagues suggested in their letter that the FCC could meet such a challenge by licensing spectrum using county-equivalent areas or cellular market areas (CMAs) or a combination of both.
The lawmakers also encouraged the FCC to work with all stakeholders to come to a balanced approach using medium-sized license areas.
“It is important that our rural areas do not get left behind again,” wrote Sen. Daines and his colleagues. “We believe these options strike the right balance of interests in this proceeding.”
In the FCC’s 3-1 vote last week, commissioners opened up the 3.5 GHz band for use in 5G networks, and in a separate unanimous vote expanded the 6 GHz band to next-gen Wi-Fi devices.