5G Americas Examines Spectrum Challenges and Opportunities in New Briefing Paper

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--5G Americas, the voice of 5G and LTE for the Americas, today announced the publication of its latest briefing paper, "Spectrum Sharing: Challenges and Opportunities," providing an in-depth exploration of the various spectrum sharing models, their technical, regulatory, and economic complexities, and the potential benefits they offer to the wireless industry.

Along with standardized same and multi-technology spectrum sharing techniques, the briefing paper discusses implementation of evolved spectrum access systems and Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) technology, as the demand for wireless services continues to surge. The paper highlights the differences in industry specifications and regulatory perceptions in relation to DSS, as well as identifying the challenges of spectrum sharing. It highlights the significance of the 3.1-3.45 GHz band, emphasizing its potential for commercial services and the advancements needed in sensing technologies to ensure effective spectrum management.

Chris Pearson, President, 5G Americas, said, "Dedicated exclusive use radio spectrum is a critical resource effecting the U.S. wireless industry, economy and technology leadership. Yet, effective spectrum sharing could be a part of some solutions but will require innovative technologies and collaborative regulatory frameworks to ensure that both legacy users and new entrants can coexist without compromising performance."

The white paper provides an in-depth examination of various spectrum management models including licensed, unlicensed, and shared spectrum approaches along with complexities of DSS.

Key sections of the 5G Americas briefing paper include:

• An overview of existing spectrum management models, detailing the licensed, unlicensed, and shared spectrum mechanisms.
• Definitions and techniques of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, exploring its various interpretations by leading industry bodies such as 3GPP and 5G Americas.
• A review of current commercial experiences in the United States, focusing on the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) and Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) in the 6 GHz band.
• An exploration of potential spectrum sharing approaches in the 3.1-3.45 GHz band.
• An analysis of the technical, regulatory, and economic challenges associated with spectrum sharing.

"The ability to share spectrum efficiently is not just a technical challenge but a strategic opportunity. We must develop policies that incentivize cooperation and ensure fair access to this critical resource," says work group co-leader Karri Kuoppamaki, SVP, Advanced and Emerging Technologies, T-Mobile US, Inc.

"Exclusive spectrum use is vital for societal, economic, and national security benefits, but when dedicated spectrum for commercial services isn't possible, spectrum sharing offers a possible solution," stated Brian Daly, AVP Wireless Technology Strategy & Standards, AT&T. "Spectrum sharing, using advanced radar sensing methods, could provide part of the solution to meet the additional spectrum needs of wireless services, if preferred commercially licensed spectrum is not available."

About 5G Americas: The Voice of 5G and Beyond for the Americas

5G Americas is an industry trade organization composed of leading telecommunications service providers and manufacturers. The organization’s mission is to facilitate and advocate for the advancement of 5G and beyond throughout the Americas. 5G Americas is invested in developing a connected wireless community while leading 5G development for all the Americas. 5G Americas is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. More information is available at 5G Americas’ website, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter).

5G Americas’ Board of Governors Members include Airspan Networks Inc., Antel, AT&T, Ciena, Cisco, Crown Castle, Ericsson, Liberty Latin America, Mavenir, Nokia, Qualcomm Incorporated, Rogers Communications, Samsung, T-Mobile US, Inc., and Telefónica.