Expanding America’s Information Infrastructure Through the 12 GHz Band

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored just how important broadband connectivity is for American families, consumers, businesses, and government. America’s broadband networks were pushed to the limit as everything from education, healthcare, business operations, and even essential government functions depended on having access to connectivity. At Tilson, our core mission is to build communications and information systems that reach all Americans. As a leader in designing and building America’s information infrastructure for telecom carriers, public utilities, and federal, state, and local government agencies, Tilson has been working tirelessly to build stronger and more reliable infrastructure to help Americans stay online during and beyond the pandemic. Now more than ever, the United States must use every tool in its toolbox to connect more unserved families and help bridge the digital divide. Maximizing our use of critical spectrum like the 12 GHz band is vital to that effort.

Increasing the availability of vital spectrum resources for 5G leads to immediate innovation. For example, in Tucson, Arizona, Tilson helped build networks using CBRS spectrum to provide virtual classrooms to students who can’t attend school in-person and lack access to high-speed broadband access. This project would not have been possible if not for the FCC’s recent action to free up the CBRS spectrum. Innovations and opportunities like virtual classrooms can be accelerated by making additional bands of spectrum available for 5G, starting with the 12 GHz band. By expanding the 12 GHz band, American companies like Tilson can continue to build out America’s next-generation information technology services and reach more communities with much needed high-quality broadband.

Opening up 500 MHz of spectrum capacity in the 12 GHz band would spur competition and benefit consumers by giving them more choices and greater innovative solutions – particularly as carriers try to close the remaining coverage gaps to ensure continuous, reliable, and affordable broadband. Unleashing the 12 GHz band for 5G would not only allow us to meet today’s needs, but also enable flexible and opportunistic spectrum uses to meet the needs of tomorrow. Enhancing spectrum-sharing capabilities and putting the 12 GHz band to its highest and best use in 5G will ensure American industry leaders like Tilson can continue to advance our country’s leadership in 5G and connect the public services the public needs, including distance education, telehealth, remote work and next generation technology.

It’s time to unlock the power of American innovation and unleash the 12 GHz band for 5G.

Tilson is on a mission to build America’s information infrastructure, reaching people across the nation with much-needed connectivity solutions. Headquartered in Portland, Maine, Tilson’s team is comprised of more than 550 employees nationwide and is rapidly growing. Recognized ten consecutive years on the Inc. 5000, Tilson provides network deployment and information system professional services to telecom, construction, utility and government clients. As a leading network design, build, and operating firm, Tilson builds high-performing technology project teams who take on the largest and most impactful information infrastructure projects in the country.