Rural Operators Could Find Opportunity in CBRS Auction Plans Adopted by FCC

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Rural operators could find it easier to obtain spectrum licenses in the citizens broadband radio service (CBRS) band as the result of CBRS auction plans adopted by the Federal Communications Commission at April 28's commission meeting. Previously the FCC had said it would only issue licenses where at least two operators bid on spectrum in the auction. But the commission on April 28 said that licenses will be issued in rural areas even if only a single company bids for a license.

The CBRS band, also known as the 3.5 GHz band, consists of spectrum between 3550-3700 MHz. Previously the FCC determined that licenses in the band would be issued on a census tract basis. That decision may have been driven, at least in part, by the expectation that large national operators would use the spectrum for small cells to augment coverage in high-traffic urban areas. But the small size license areas also could benefit small rural operators by making it more affordable for them to obtain licenses. The most likely business case for the rural carriers may be to support fixed broadband wireless service. Jeff Kohler, a co-founder of rural broadband wireless provider Rise Broadband, who was very enthusiastic about the opportunities that he expects to see as a result of the CBRS auction. Kohler noted that in addition to having potentially more affordable licenses, the CBRS band can support faster broadband speeds than some other spectrum bands.


Rural Operators Could Find Opportunity in CBRS Auction Plans Adopted by FCC