Coalition momentum grows with 32 members, citing engineering data showing clear capability for coexistence of expanding the 12 GHz band for 5G

The diverse Coalition urges the FCC to trust the science, which shows coexistence is feasible in expanding the use of the 12 GHz band

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 2021 – The 5G for 12 GHz Coalition is gaining momentum, announcing today that it has added nine new members since launch including Dell Technologies, VMware, Altiostar, Airspan, Mavenir, MVD Number 53 Partners, NextLink, Rise Broadband, and WeLink, bringing it to more than 30 member organizations. From the industry’s only end-to-end, cloud-native network software provider to internet service providers of Fixed Wireless and Fiber Optic technology, the Coalition continues to draw a diverse group of supporters who are calling on the FCC to expand the 12 GHz spectrum band for 5G, securing American global leadership.

The Coalition, which was founded on five guiding principles – including the importance of unleashing 12 GHz for a national and economic edge over China, the potential for 12 GHz to empower innovation and next-generation connectivity, the consumer benefits, the ability and need to protect existing users, and the opportunistic uses of this mid-band spectrum for 5G – has coalesced around a compelling nationwide engineering study filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Conducted by RKF Engineering Solutions – a preeminent engineering firm with decades of experience in modeling Radio Frequency environments in collaboration with leading telecommunications companies and global regulators – this study shows the overwhelming feasibility of the FCC modernizing its rules for America’s gain. As the scientific modeling clearly shows, the enormous economic benefits of unleashing 12 GHz for 5G can be realized, all while promoting spectrum coexistence between prospective NGSO services and terrestrial 5G services that are currently experiencing enormous growth. Furthermore, for the less than 1% of potential future NGSO users that may experience some interference, mitigation strategies are readily available to address them.

Chip Pickering, Coalition Co-Chair, welcomed the new members and commended the rigorous, comprehensive nature of the study.

“We are pleased to add these unique perspectives as the Coalition continues its important mission, which is underscored by this new study,” Pickering said. “The data is clear: the FCC can and should act on the science to allow for spectrum sharing, unleashing the power of 12 GHz. Not only is this action consistent with the FCC’s mission to align its regulations with the evolving technological landscape, but it secures the win-win we need when it comes to boosting competition and consumer choice while protecting U.S. economic and national security interests in the race with China to 5G. These studies represent the gold-standard in expertise and show that we can accomplish all of our 12 GHz goals while ensuring co-existence. This is a win-win.”

The Coalition urges the FCC to rely on the substantial evidence documented in the study that expanding the 500 MHz of available capacity in the 12 GHz band for terrestrial, two-way 5G services can be readily accomplished.

“The growing support behind the Coalition from respected voices across industry underscores the need to swiftly modernize decades-old regulations currently hindering America’s posture as a global leader in the race to 5G with competitors like China,” Coalition Co-Chair Joe Lockhart said. “This one policy change, which has broad bipartisan support, would catapult the U.S. into worldwide 5G leadership, greatly reducing the digital divide, lowering costs, and improving access to education, health care, jobs, and opportunities that everyone deserves.”

The Coalition calls on the FCC to act on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Expanding Flexible Use of the 12.2-12.7 GHz Band, et al., WT Docket No. 20-443, et al) to allow the 12 GHz band to unlock the power of 5G for all Americans.

The 5G for 12 GHz Coalition includes the following group of 32 diverse members:  INCOMPAS, Public Knowledge, DISH, Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), RS Access, Open Technology Institute at New America (OTI), Federated Wireless, Airspan, Altiostar, AtLink, Cambridge Broadband Network Groups (CBNG), Center for Educational Innovations, Center for Rural Strategies, Dell Technologies, Etheric Networks, GeoLinks, GoLong Wireless, Granite Telecommunications, Mavenir, mmWave Tech, MVD Number 53 Partners, NextLink, Resound Networks, Rise Broadband, Rural Wireless Association (RWA), Telnet Worldwide, Tilson, VMware, WeLink, White Cloud, Xiber and X-Lab.  

For more information, visit 5Gfor12GHZ.com and read our five Guiding Principles here.

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For interview or other requests for the Coalition and its members, please contact LindseeGentry@rational360.com.