5G for 12GHz Coalition Launches to Unleash the Power of Mid-Band Spectrum for American 5G Leadership & Consumer Choice

Coalition urges the FCC to act swiftly on NPRM that will double U.S. availability of mid-band spectrum, supercharging 5G deployment while protecting existing services

WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL XX – XX organizations today launched the 5G for 12GHz Coalition to urge the FCC to act swiftly and modernize its rules, opening up the 12 GHz band for 5G.

“America has an important opportunity to immediately unleash the power of the 12GHz band for 5G, ensuring our position as a global leader, boosting broadband connectivity and consumer choice, and driving innovation,” XX said. “The spectrum-sharing environment has changed dramatically since the rules governing mid-band spectrum were enacted almost two decades ago. We cannot afford to delay any longer; the FCC must act now allowing the 12GHz band to accelerate U.S. leadership in 5G, protecting key economic and national security interests.”

The Coalition supports updating federal regulations to match today’s technological landscape, which is essential to catapulting the United States back to a position of strength and creating an ecosystem where innovation and next-generation connectivity empowers the American public and businesses. Today, reliable and affordable access to connectivity is necessary for almost every aspect of modern life. By unlocking the power of 5G, students will have more tools to excel in the classroom, patients will have more access to critical health care services, and small-business owners will have more opportunities to tap into new marketplaces.

Spectrum is a finite and crucial resource, making it imperative that the United States works smartly and quickly to maximize on the range of values this unencumbered 12 GHz band offers to consumers and the country. The 500 MHz of available capacity in the12 GHz band offers the promise of connecting Americans to cutting-edge technologies while protecting existing services. Once approved by the FCC, this important piece of mid-band spectrum can be deployed immediately for terrestrial, two-way 5G purposes. While already licensed, the outdated FCC rules and regulations currently governing the 12GHz band do not allow it to be used for 5G. Though the FCC has taken some action to open up more mid-band spectrum, including through the C-band auction, the United States is still losing the 5G race to China, ranking last among 13 major wireless markets in 5G mid-band spectrum capacity.

The Coalition calls on the FCC to act swiftly 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.

5G for 12 GHz includes the following founding members: XX

For more information, visit: 5Gfor12GHZ.com