FCC Authorization for Radio Service License – 3.45 GHz Band Service

On March 17, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission” or “FCC”) adopted a Second Report and Order, FCC 21-32, GN Docket No. WT-19-348 (Second Report and Order) that establishes rules for flexible-use wireless access to the 100 megahertz in the 3450-3550 MHz (3.45 GHz) band, creating the new 3.45 GHz Service. The rules will create additional capacity for wireless broadband allowing full-power operations across the band in the entire contiguous United States, while also ensuring full protection of incumbent Federal operations remaining in particular locations. As part of this process, the Commission also adopted rules related to the relocation of incumbent non-Federal radiolocation operations, and reimbursement of expenses related to such relocation. The 3.45-3.55 GHz band was previously allocated solely for Federal operations on a primary basis; non-Federal operations (both amateur and radiolocation) had previously been permitted on a secondary status, but this allocation was deleted in a prior action in this proceeding. Those secondary non-Federal operations will terminate at dates to be determined by the close of the auction for the new 3.45 GHz Service. In the Second Report and Order, the Commission allocated the band to commercial wireless operations on a co-primary basis with Federal operations. As a result of the co-primary status of flexible-use wireless operations in the 3.45 GHz Service and Federal incumbents, the rules adopted in the Second Report and Order will require licensees in the 3.45 GHz Service to coordinate with Federal agencies, including those in the Department of Defense, in their deployment of networks in particular geographic areas called Cooperative Planning Areas and Periodic Use Areas. This coordination will require information be provided to those agencies. This information may include locations and technical characteristics of proposed deployments, as well as other information that will enable incumbent Federal operators to ensure these deployments will not interfere with Federal operations, and vice versa. In order to promote access to spectrum and the provision of service, the Second Report and Order adopted revised performance requirements for 3.45 GHz Service licensees, including the use of interim and end-of-term benchmarks. The Second Report and Order imposed interim reporting requirements on licensees to provide the Commission with information concerning the status of licensees’ efforts to meet performance requirements and the manner in which their spectrum is being utilized. In addition to coordination with Federal incumbents, licensees in the 3.45 GHz Service may also be required to provide information to operators in the adjacent Citizens Broadband Radio Service. This information would be for the purpose of enabling synchronization between the relevant systems. Finally, incumbent secondary, non-Federal radiolocation operators being relocated out of the 3.45 GHz band to alternate spectrum will be required to submit information related to their relocation expenses to an independent clearinghouse to be named at a later date. The clearinghouse will be selected by a search committee of third-party stakeholders identified by the Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. The clearinghouse will enable verification of the relocation expenses and repayment of those costs. The Commission is requesting a three year approval from the Office of Management and Budget for this information collection.

The latest form for FCC Authorization for Radio Service License – 3.45 GHz Band Service expires 2027-09-30 and can be found here.

FCC Authorization for Radio Service License – 3.45 GHz Band Service

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