Doug Lung / Announcement said this would free up 40 MHz of underutilized spectrum 12.13.2012 08:56AM
FCC Opens 2 GHz Sat Spectrum for Terrestrial Use
The FCC announced
the adoption of the AWS-4 Order and H Block NPRM but the
actual Order was released with it, so details are limited. The FCC announcement
said this would free up 40 MHz of underutilized satellite spectrum for
land-based mobile broadband. This spectrum includes portions of the 2 GHz band--1990-2025
MHz--that was originally allocated for broadcast auxiliary services, primarily
live news. Dish Networks holds licenses for the 2 GHz mobile satellite service
spectrum, and it appears this Order will allow them to use 30 MHz of this
spectrum for terrestrial wireless.
The 5 MHz of 2 GHz spectrum at 2020-2025 MHz, immediately
adjacent to the current 2 GHz ENG band, the “J-Block” described in the FCC's 2
GHz AWS/MSS NPRM and Notice of Inquiry (FCC 12-32) wasn't
mentioned in Tuesday's FCC News Release.