Uniting Voices for the 12.2–12.7 GHz Spectrum Band
At our annual 2024 INCOMPAS Policy Summit, we hosted members of Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration, and dozens of other leaders across the industry to discuss the future of tech and telecom.
Throughout the day, two themes stood out from all the rest: the value of unlocking more spectrum and the need for the FCC to approve what it can, quickly. Fortunately, as several of our speakers recognized, the FCC has a prime opportunity to repurpose up to 500 MHz of mid-band spectrum for fixed wireless service in the lower 12 GHz band.
Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) said “I believe that action in the 12 GHz space is going to be one of the important components to be able to help connect all of America.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) echoed the sentiment, asserting, “spectrum, that is such a valuable asset, the 12.2–12.7 [bands] that we’re discussing, that is something that of course, you can share this, there is a way to do this… and the FCC should move forward on how this is going to license out.”
And Representative Doris Matsui, a long-time advocate of the lower 12 GHz band, said, “I’ve been talking about this [12.2–12.7 GHz Spectrum] even before the NPRM, because it gives us an opportunity. There is limited spectrum, you know that… We have to find new spectrum, and I’m all in on this.”
Other federal leaders also called for action to unlock more spectrum.
Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) said spectrum is “a scarce national resource” and “one of our most valuable resources, it touches everything.”
“We don’t have enough low hanging fruit of spectrum to make available for all the things that we would like to use it for,” Davidson said.
When asked about the lower 12 GHz opportunity, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said, “I think job one of the FCC on spectrum should be to identify large swaths of spectrum that we can open up for exclusive license use. But step two, you have to go fast as well, when you can’t, you gotta look for creative ways and maybe 12 GHz is a way to do that.”
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez emphasized, “We need to constantly find ways to use spectrum to its highest and best uses, but also as efficiently as possible.”
These diverse voices are unified in their support for expanding the efficient use of our spectrum. From Assistant Secretary Davidson’s recognition of spectrum’s national importance to bipartisan endorsements from legislators and FCC commissioners, the message is clear: Unlocking the 12 GHz spectrum band is key to bridge the digital divide, accelerate broadband deployment, and foster innovation.
The FCC should seize this “fruit” and take a step towards a more connected and equitable future for all Americans.
- Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS and Co-Chairman of the 5G for 12GHz Coalition.
