FCC to provide 50 MHz spectrum

The FCC issued a new ruling that will make 50 MHz of spectrum available for semi-unlicensed use between 3650 and 3700 MHz.  This spectrum is very close to the 3500 MHz which is widely available globally for WBB service including WiMAX.  Several vendors have 'pre-WiMAX' equipment available for 3.5GHz spectrum and should easily be able to operate in the 3.65-3.7 GHz spectrum.

The FCC will allow WISPS to operate in the new band but will require them to register what equipment they will use.  This assures that the FCC can supervise compliance with the power and non-interference requirements.

http://www.wimaxxed.com/wimaxxed_news/fcc_approves_na.html

The other big difference with this and other unlicensed spectrum such as 2.4 GHz is that the spectrum will be available to WISPS to set up nationwide WBB networks.  Spectrum availability and power limitations for unlicensed spectrum has been a major stumbling block limiting the prospects for national WiMAX coverage.

What does this mean for community wireless?  Well in the least it gives another way for people to get on the Internet, probably at a lower cost than current service.  And it should mean that access to cable data rates will become available in metro areas almost wherever their is power to hook up a WiMAX modem.  The first version of WiMAX equipment based on 802.16-2004 is already available and the next generation equipment, based on 802.16e/OFDMA-TDD/FDD and dynamic modulation is starting to show up now.  That version will at first provide nomadic service - small, self-contained devices similar to APs but mostly in need of being powered by a power plug supply.  These devices will consume around 700 mw to 2W of power, making them a drain on laptop and other battery sources.  Most of them will use the Intel chip although a few might use parts from Sequans, picoChip or others. (almost all vendors will build base stations using chips from other manufacturers besides Intel because of higher level requirements).  

I think that we are very likely to see other bands of spectrum become available on a similar basis: monitored more closely than current unlicensed spectrum but open for use at higher power levels by equipment that is shown to meet and be operated by WISPs who obey the non-interference rules.  This is perhaps a monumental ruling because it sets a new precedent for spectrum regulation at sub 6 GHz frequencies that might be copied at even lower frequencies currently under consideration. It would be great to see spectrum become available in the 700-800 MHz bands or around 450 MHz.  900 MHz is currently available but it is already cluttered with phone and WBB use.  

Some of the new pre-WiMAX equipment that is coming available will use MIMO-AAS smart antenna systems with up to twelve sectors per base station.  There are also various scales of base stations from the macro base stations that will cost over $100k each to micro and eventually pico base stations.  Very small base stations, (better named bridges or routers) are being considered that can fit into parking meters,  on lamp posts or other available locations.  

Robert (Bob) Syputa
WiMAXPro.com - TEAM Associates  (TEAMrep)
206-367-6931 
206-984-2938 (voice message & FAX)

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