CBRS Success

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This week’s question: How has the CBRS model worked out thus far? Would this model be successful in any other bands in particular?  

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KRISTIAN STOUT, Director of Innovation Policy, International Center for Law & Economics:

The CBRS model has so far proved quite a successful model. I think the proliferation of MVNO services alone is a testament to this fact. The basic fact remains that more bandwidth is constantly needed for wireless and fixed wireless use, and the CBRS model has delivered here. Although I’m not sure offhand which other bands should be considered for it, undoubtedly this model can work in other bands. I would encourage the FCC to continue exploring the potential bands for this kind of innovative sharing regime.

KATHLEEN BURKE, Policy Counsel, Public Knowledge:

The CBRS model is a successful example of a diverse approach to spectrum management. The three-tiered access regime deftly balances the needs of incumbent military operations, commercial licensed services, and general authorized access (GAA). This balancing act is made possible by Spectrum Access Systems, which are automated frequency coordinators that use sensing technology to detect spectrum use in real-time. With more than 150,000 network nodes deployed in CBRS and zero reported cases of interference, this system has proven its efficacy. Additionally, communities like Tucson and others around the country are successfully using the CBRS framework to help bridge the digital divide.

This framework would also work well in the lower 3 GHz band. That band, like CBRS, is home to some critical military operations, which will make clearing it for auction a real challenge. Although it may be possible to clear some of the spectrum for auction, the vast majority could benefit from other access regimes such as sharing, unlicensed, and GAA. By pursuing a mix of access regimes, we can ensure the lower 3 GHz band is efficiently utilized to balance the needs of government incumbents and the public.

RYAN JOHNSTON, Policy Counsel, Federal Programs at Next Century Cities:

The CBRS model has worked incredibly well thus far. The way in which the spectrum is tiered helps to alleviate the interference concerns related to when a wide variety of users utilize the same spectrum. The CBRS model is a particular boon for municipalities, schools, or libraries that want to develop a wireless network without the burden of participating in the auction process.

MICHAEL CALABRESE, Director, Wireless Future Project, New America:

The CBRS spectrum sharing framework is succeeding beyond expectations. The combination of small area licenses and unlicensed spectrum in the same band has generated enormous innovation. It provides spectrum to a wide variety of users who could never afford a large area license at auction. One example is the school districts that are closing the homework gap for good by connecting students at home using CBRS spectrum. The lower 3 GHz band, which is also military radar spectrum, is the perfect place to expand on this success.

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