The FCC pursues a strategy sitting on three pillars, including a review of supply chain integrity rules.
Background: The Federal Communications Commission has taken action on several fronts to foster the deployment of 5G. In particular, it recently awarded high-band spectrum in the 28GHz band, and is currently auctioning 24GHz frequencies.
The FAST Plan: At an event at the White House, the chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai, unveiled plans for upcoming spectrum auctions, within a broader strategy to facilitate 5G deployment across three areas: spectrum, infrastructure policy, and ‘modernising outdated regulations’. With regard to spectrum, the FCC plans the auction of more high-band spectrum later this year (37GHz, 39GHz, and 47GHz) and future availability of mid-band and low-band airwaves. Spectrum in the 6GHz and 95GHz bands will also be assigned on an unlicensed basis. Infrastructure policy changes aim to speed up the process to accommodate small cells, reducing regulatory impediments at federal, state, and local levels. Finally, the modernisation of outdated rules includes speeding up the IP transition, and a review of the Supply Chain Integrity rules; this would prevent carriers from using universal service support on equipment found to pose national security threats.
Next steps: Many of the initiatives forming the FAST plan have already been launched or completed. The high-band spectrum auction will take place in December 2019, awarding 3,400MHz.
