A Quick Rundown On Why The FCC Is Voting On The Subject Of 5G

Five chairpersons of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be voting on the foundation for a future wherein 5G technology is a reality. Sure, there is nothing wrong with today’s current LTE and LTE Advance wireless technologies, but as more and more consumers increase their mobile usage, they will demand faster and more reliable connection speeds, it is inevitable that 5G tech will enter into the picture, sooner or later. 

Technically speaking, the FCC is considering to establish standard usage rules for new spectrum, namely the 28 GigaHertz, 37 GigaHertz, 39 GigaHertz, and 64 to 71 GigaHertz bands. The agency is also considering setting regulations for network security as well as the licensing frameworks, which should lay down the rules on who gets access to which kind of bands. The 28 GigaHertz has attracted some attention because it has been marked for use for 5G tests at the 2018 Winter Olympics held in the county of Pyeongchang, South Korea, and is considered a prime candidate for commercial 5G. But in the end, the FCC will vote on which bands to use.

Obviously, the standard of 5G does not exist yet, and it may take a while to figure that part out. But for now, the FCC has already started working on frameworks in order to allow wireless and mobile companies to find out which set of requirements is is comfy to them. The good news is that wireless companies have already started exploring and testing, which is a good start at least.

The tricky thing about 5G is that while the wireless and mobile industry is excited to go there, the satellite industry may have already established some foothold in that technology. Take the 28 GigaHertz band, for instance -- it is actually already being utilized by some earth to space communications system. If mobile enters into the picture, there might be some interference, and the satellite industry does not want that to happen. 

Of course, the wireless and mobile industries think the satellite industry is just being greedy. They argue that interference will not be a problem as long as the satellite industry follows some regulations regarding the sharing of airwaves. This is where the FCC plays a significant role. The agency can establish the rules for everybody to follow, whether they come from the wireless, mobile, or satellite industry. Hence, the vote. The FCC has to deliberate how it wants everybody to operate in a fair manner, and hopefully, in a way that fosters innovation in order to fully realize the vision of 5G.