Millimeter Wave 70/80/90 GHz Service

About

The term “millimeter wave” derives from the wavelength of radio signals on frequencies between 30 GHz and 300 GHz, which ranges between 1 and 10 millimeters.

At these frequencies, radio signals attenuate more rapidly with distance than at other frequencies and antennas that can narrowly focus transmitted energy are practical and of modest size.  While the limited range of such transmissions might appear to be a major disadvantage for many applications, it does allow the reuse of frequencies within very short distances and, thereby enables a higher concentration of transmitters to be located in a geographical area than is possible at lower frequencies.

Because of shorter wavelengths, the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, and 92-95 GHz (70/80/90 GHz) bands permit the use of smaller antennas, than would be required for similar circumstances in the lower bands, to achieve the same high directivity and high gain. The immediate consequence of this high directivity, coupled with the high free space loss at these frequencies, is the possibility of a more efficient use of the spectrum for point-to-multipoint applications. Since a greater number of high directive antennas can be placed than less directive antennas in a given area, the net result is higher reuse of the spectrum, and higher density of users, as compared to lower frequencies. Furthermore, due to the fact that one can place more voice channels or broadband information using a higher frequency to transmit the information, this spectrum could potentially be used as a replacement for or supplement to fiber optics.

On October 16, 2003, the Commission adopted a Report and Order establishing service rules to promote non-Federal Government development and use of the “millimeter wave” spectrum in the 70/80/90 GHz bands on a shared basis with Federal Government operations, and subsequently modified the Report and Order with a Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 05-45) (pdf).   The Commission adopted a flexible and innovative regulatory framework for the 70/80/90 GHz bands, allowing links to be registered with third party database managers after they are issued a geographic nationwide license by the Commission.

Details of the licensing, link registration, and interference protection are explained in the Report and Order (FCC-03-248), Public Notice DA-04-1493, and the Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC-05-45).  

In 2016, in the context of the Commission's spectrum frontiers proceeding, the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands were considered as a potential candidate for mobile services.  See GN Docket No. 14-177.

In 2017 the Commission found broad support in the record of the spectrum frontiers proceedings for focusing on and enhancing the existing rules for fixed use of the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands, but little consensus among the proponents of mobile use as to how to coexist with fixed links. The Commission also found that, under the existing licensing mechanism, these bands can play an important role in 5G development by facilitating backhaul and other fixed uses. The Commission stated that it is important not only to protect existing links but also to provide an opportunity for future growth of fixed service in these bands as demand for backhaul and other related services increases.  The Commission also noted that several proposals are pending to modify the existing rules for these bands and reserved the right to revisit this issue as mobile use deploys in other millimeter wave bands, technology develops, and as further thought is given to mobile/fixed coexistence.  See GN Docket No. 14-177 for more information.

In June 2020, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on potential rule changes, proposed by interested parties, for non-Federal uses of the 70/80/90 GHz bands. See Modernizing and Expanding Access to the 70/80/90 GHz Bands, WT Docket No. 20-133, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 35 FCC Rcd 6039 (2020) (70/80/90 GHz NPRM). Certain of the proposals in the 70/80/90 GHz NPRM, such as changes to antenna standards and link registration processes, were aimed at improving efficiency in traditional uses of the bands, such as wireless backhaul. Other inquiries contemplated use of the bands for new service offerings, such as Aeronet Global Communications, Inc.’s (Aeronet) proposals that the Commission authorize point-to-point links to endpoints in motion to facilitate broadband service to ships and aircraft, provided that they do not cause interference to other authorized uses. The Commission also sought comment on whether the 70/80/90 GHz bands could accommodate other types of services, such as High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) or similar services.

In October 2021, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released a Public Notice seeking to supplement the record in the ongoing rulemaking on the 70/80/90 GHz bands. In particular, the Commission sought comment on whether HAPS or other stratospheric-based platform services could be deployed in the 70/80/90 GHz bands to provide broadband Internet access to consumers and communities that may otherwise lack robust, consistent connectivity.  The Commission also sought additional information regarding the potential use of these bands to provide broadband Internet access to customers on airplanes and aboard ships, as proposed by Aeronet.

Licensing

Nonexclusive Nationwide License

The nationwide license serves as a prerequisite for registering individual point-to-point links.

A licensee is not authorized to operate a 70/80/90 GHz link unless/until the link is registered as an approved link in the Link Registration System administered by third-party Database Managers.

Because the 70/80/90 GHz bands are allocated on a shared basis with Federal Government users, each link must be coordinated with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) with respect to Federal Government operations as part of the registration process (see link registration tab).       

Link Registration

The non-exclusive nationwide license (see licensing tab) is a required prerequisite for registering individual links in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, and 92-95 GHz (70/80/90 GHz) bands. Individual links cannot be registered until a non-exclusive nationwide license is obtained.