- Spectrum remains a critical and complex issue for the wireless industry
- Using existing spectrum requires strategic planning and innovative technological solutions, including AI, for efficiency's sake
- Panelists here at ConnectX lamented the lack of a clear plan to free up more spectrum
CONNECTX, CHICAGO — Spectrum and the lack thereof for U.S. mobile network operators (MNOs) were two "front and center" topics during a main general session panel here at McCormick Place.
While the industry waits for a clear plan and direction from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the White House on new spectrum auctions, MNOs are working with what they have by maximizing existing assets, using carrier aggregation techniques, tapping AI to optimize site locations and improving spectral efficiency through technology, noted panelists from Boost Mobile, Qualcomm, Phoenix Tower International and UScellular.
Specifically, UScellular is focusing on squeezing more spectral efficiency from current assets, according to the operator's CTO Mike Izirarry. Boost's Jeff McSchoolar, EVP, wireless engineering and operations, said the cloud-native MNO is using AI technology to utilize every bit more efficiently. "We use every single dollar to get every single bit," he told the crowd.
Spectrum availability - critical and complex
Despite the quotable quotes, the overall sentiment was that spectrum remains a critical and complex issue requiring strategic planning and innovative technological solutions – and one that will remain so for at least two years, which is the current timeframe for new auctions, according to panel moderator Scott Lewis, VP of site development and next generation solutions at Phoenix Tower International, who said he had discussed timing backstage with his panelists.
This is where the Wireless Industry Association (WIA) comes into play. Patrick Halley, president and CEO of WIA, told Fierce last month that spectrum is high on the industry org's agenda. Currently, the WIA supports CTIA’s efforts to get a portion of the lower 3 GHz band allocated for wireless carriers to bid on when the FCC’s auction authority is restored, wrote Fierce Network's Monica Alleven after her interview with Halley.
CTIA is pushing to free up spectrum in the 3.3-3.45 GHz portion for full-power, licensed commercial spectrum in a manner that will protect U.S. military systems and Halley told Fierce he was optimistic that the Trump administration and Congress would find a way to free up some of the lower 3 GHz.
A timely message
Halley's keynote today pushed a similar message. "Today, the FCC doesn't have the legal authority to conduct a spectrum auction, and Congress has yet to pass legislation identifying spectrum to be auctioned and put to use for commercial oil service," he said from the stage. "The good news is that with congressional White House and federal agency leaders actively engaged in a discussion of industry and Congress, I'm confident that a deal can be reached that meets the needs of industry and federal agencies, and it is time to get this done."
Halley's keynote message was timely. President Trump's proposed budget includes significant changes related to spectrum and broadband and includes reconciliation text released on May 11 from the House Energy and Commerce Committee that reauthorizes the FCC to conduct spectrum auctions, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates could generate $88 billion over 10 years.
"The budget reconciliation text that you may be hearing about being debated in Washington right now is the vehicle to free up more spectrum and address permitting issues," Halley said.