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Comsearch has developed a free search tool for the 3650 MHz band to help licensees efficiently manage their spectrum usage and at the same time protect incumbent users in the band. Our tool leverages the FCC's 3650 MHz ULS data in addition to our own databases to provide information about other users. The map interface allows you to quickly assess the spectrum environment in your area of interest in order to help avoid potential harmful interference. The tool leverages our many years of spectrum management and coordination expertise, knowledge of interference scenarios, and our up-to-date databases of detailed station information. We believe this will provide our customers an effective tool to help navigate around other users, shorten their planning process, and promote harmonious, shared-use of this unique band. ABOUT THE 3650–3700 MHz BAND The FCC allocated 50 MHz of spectrum in the 3650–3700 MHz range for terrestrial wireless broadband service regulated under FCC Part 90 rules. Licensees may provide a broad range of new products and services, including high-speed, wireless local area networks and broadband Internet access. The Commission adopted a flexible and innovative regulatory framework for the 3650–3700 MHz band that would not require traditional frequency coordination among users with the exception of incumbent Fixed Satellite Service Licensees (FSS) and Federal Government Radiolocation stations. However, the licensees must deploy equipment that uses "contention-based protocols" and share the obligation to cooperate to avoid harmful interference with other licensees. A license for the 3650–3700 MHz Radio Service consists of a non-exclusive nationwide license, followed by fixed and base station registration in the FCC's ULS. Here are the steps involved in obtaining authority to operate:
Step 4 of the process involves protection of grandfathered, incumbent stations from interference. There are two types of grandfathered, incumbent stations that new 3650 MHz band licensees must protect: non-Federal grandfathered earth stations and Federal radiolocation stations. For the 86 non-Federal grandfathered earth stations, the protected zone is 150 km. Licensees may locate base stations within these protected zones only after obtaining an agreement from the earth station licensee through frequency coordination negotiations. For the three grandfathered Federal radiolocation stations, the protected zone is 80 km, and locating base stations within these zones requires approval of NTIA via coordination through the FCC. 
Step 5 requires the use of equipment approved by the FCC for use in this band. This equipment must use a "contention-based protocol" to recognize other systems and adjust operating parameters to minimize interference. Additionally, there are two types of certified equipment, "restricted" and "unrestricted". A restricted contention protocol means that the equipment can adjust to minimize interference with other devices using the same or similar protocol. Restricted contention protocols are only allowed in the lower 25 MHz portion of the band (3650–3675 MHz). Equipment with an unrestricted contention protocol can operate within the entire 50 MHz of the band, but must function to adjust and minimize interference with devices using other dissimilar protocols that could be of completely different technologies. In addition to these in-band systems, there are several thousand licensed and unlicensed C-band satellite earth stations operating in the upper adjacent band (3700–4200 MHz). Calculations show that should conditions align in a worst-case manner, separation distances of 1 km or more may be required to avoid interference into these adjacent-band receive stations. The FCC left open the possibility of requiring lower out-of-band emissions for 3650–3700 MHz transmitters shown to be the cause of interference into C-band earth stations. Additional filtering may have to be added to earth station LNBs to mitigate this oversaturation issue. It is a fairly easy process to verify the locations of existing earth stations and determine the proximity to your planned facilities. Depending upon the interference geometry and the operating characteristics of both systems, there may be several inexpensive options available to reduce the potential for interference. It is advisable to identify potential problems and resolve them early in the process and prior to a significant capital outlay on infrastructure. Lastly, there are several high-power radar systems operating in the lower adjacent bands. These radar systems are mostly for coastal navigation. It is important to be aware of them since there is a potential for interference to 3650 MHz systems. Click here to access Comsearch's free search tool. Our tool will identify nearby 3650 MHz systems, co-channel and adjacent channel earth stations, and federal radio location stations all in one easy search. The service rules for this band fall under CFR, Part 90 and the radio service code is NN. Filing for nationwide licenses and registration began on November 15, 2007. |
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