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Band Information

There has been significant activity in the wireless broadband arena worldwide. Some of the most common bands targeted for wireless broadband operation are discussed below. In the U.S., they include: 39 GHz, LMDS, MMDS, 24 GHz, U-NII, 900 MHz ISM, and 2.4 GHz unlicensed bands.

39 GHz

39 GHz licensees provide fixed communications including point-to-point and point-to-multipoint communications. The FCC auctioned and awarded 14 licenses consisting of paired 50 MHz channel blocks in each of the 172 Economic Areas (EAs) and 3 EA-like areas, covering the U.S. territories in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. The auction closed on May 8, 2000. View the 39 GHz band plan.

Local Multipoint Distribution System (LMDS)

LMDS is a service capable of offering subscribers a variety of one- and two-way broadband services, such as video programming distribution, video teleconferencing, wireless local loop telephony, and high-speed data transmission, e.g. Internet access. LMDS systems may consist of multicell configuration distribution systems with return-path capability within the assigned spectrum. Generally, each cell will contain a centrally located transmitter (hub), multiple receivers or transceivers, and point-to-point links interconnecting the cell with a central processing center and/or other cells.

The FCC auctioned two licenses, Blocks A and B, in each of 493 Basic Trading Areas (BTAs), with a total of 1,300 MHz of spectrum per BTA-one for 1,150 MHz of spectrum (Block A) and one for 150 MHz (Block B). The FCC awarded the licenses in two separate auctions, ending on March 28, 1998 and May 12, 1999. View the LMDS channel plan.

Multipoint and/or Multichannel Distribution Services (MMDS)

MMDS consists of Multichannel Distribution Service (MDS), Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS), and Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS). Traditionally considered a "Wireless Cable" band for the provision of television channels, MMDS is increasingly being considered for implementation of broadband wireless access systems. These broadband wireless systems are intended to provide digital services such as Internet access, wide-area networks (WANs), and voice-over IP.

MDS and MMDS channels in the United States are authorized under FCC Rule Part 21, while ITFS channels are authorized under FCC Rule Part 74. International recommendations for usage in this band are given in International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Recommendation ITU-R F.755-1, Annex 1.

Until the mid-1990s, MMDS/ITFS primarily delivered one-way analog video service. Since then several FCC actions have changed the service significantly. The Commission issued two Declaratory Ruling and Orders allowing various digital modulation schemes to be used, auctioned the spectrum by Basic Trading Area (BTA), and issued a Report and Order and a Report and Order on Reconsideration on two-way transmission.

The FCC auctioned a total of 493 MDS licenses, one for each of the Basic Trading Areas (BTAs) in the United States and territories. The auction closed on March 28, 1996. View the MMDS band plan. Use of the MMDS channels is on a non-interference basis to incumbent MMDS and ITFS licensees, whose sites were awarded 35-mile radius-protected service areas. The 493 renewable 10-year licenses were awarded to 67 different winning bidders. They are subject to a five-year buildout criterion to provide coverage for 2/3 of the population of the BTA. The FCC also allows partitioning of BTAs subject to certain conditions.

Under BTA licensing, MMDS licensees are allowed to enter into lease agreements with ITFS users for access to those channels. MMDS users may also license up to eight unused ITFS frequencies in an area, provided that at least eight frequencies remain available for ITFS usage.

900 MHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) & 2.4 GHz Unlicensed Bands

These bands support spread spectrum operation on a non-interference unlicensed basis. Operation in this band is authorized under FCC Rule Part 15.247. Spread spectrum systems share these bands on a non-interference basis with systems supporting critical government requirements, secondary only to ISM equipment operated under the provisions of Part 18. Many of these government systems are airborne radiolocation systems that emit a high ERP, which can cause interference to other users. Also, investigations into the effect of spread spectrum interference to U.S. government operations in the 902-928 MHz band may require a future decrease in the power limits allowed in spread spectrum operation.

U-NII

The FCC designated the 5.15 - 5.25 GHz, 5.25 - 5.35 GHz, and 5.725 - 5.825 GHz bands for use by a new category of unlicensed equipment, called Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices. The U-NII devices will provide short-range, fixed, point-to-point, high-speed wireless digital communications on an unlicensed basis.

The 5.15 - 5.25 GHz portion of the U-NII band is intended for use for indoor short-range networking devices. The FCC adopted a 200-mW EIRP limit to enable short-range wireless local area network (LAN) applications in this band without causing interference to mobile satellite service (MSS) feeder link operations.

Devices operating between 5.25 - 5.35 GHz are intended to be communications within and between buildings, such as campus-type networks. U-NII devices in the 5.25-5.35 GHz frequency range are subject to a 1-W EIRP power limit.

Finally, the 5.725 - 5.825 GHz portion of the band is intended for community networking communications devices operating over a range of several kilometers. The FCC permits fixed, point-to-point U-NII devices to operate with up to 1-W transmitter power and directional antennas with up to a 23-dBi gain.

24 GHz (upcoming auction TBD)

The FCC adopted service and auction rules for licensing of the 24.25-24.45 GHz and 25.05-25.25 GHz spectrum bands. The 24 GHz licenses can be used for a variety of fixed wireless services including broadband services. The FCC has not yet announced an auction date.

The FCC will license the 24 GHz band throughout the United States by Economic Areas (EAs, constituting 172 service areas). License areas will also be available in the following U.S. territories and possessions: Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Gulf of Mexico. The 24 GHz licensees, including incumbent Digital Electronic Message Service licensees, will be governed by Part 101 of the FCC's Rules. The 24 GHz band will be licensed in 40-MHz flexible channel pairs, and either the upper or lower side of the 40 MHz channel pairs can be used for the nodal station or the subscriber station.

Licensees will have a ten-year license term from the date of grant and may partition and/or disaggregate their licenses.

General Band Information

To view technical and regulatory information about frequency bands allocated for broadband use BandLocator.

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