Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73

§1503 Millimeter wave spectrum

Title 47 › Chapter CHAPTER 14— - MAKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BROADBAND INVESTMENT AND LIMITING EXCESSIVE AND NEEDLESS OBSTACLES TO WIRELESS › § 1503

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The FCC must start a rulemaking by March 23, 2020 to consider allowing mobile or fixed wireless service in the 42000 to 42500 megahertz band. It must look at using the band for commercial broadband, decide if it should be licensed, unlicensed, or both, consider shared licensed use, and set technical and coexistence rules. Any spectrum opened for licensed or unlicensed use on or after February 11, 2016 that meets the rules in section 1502 can count toward the amount required by section 1502(a).

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §1503

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Not later than 2 years after March 23, 2018, the Commission shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to consider service rules to authorize mobile or fixed terrestrial wireless operations, including for advanced mobile service operations, in the radio frequency band between 42000 and 42500 megahertz.

(b)In conducting a rulemaking under subsection (a), the Commission shall—

(1)consider how the band described in subsection (a) may be used to provide commercial wireless broadband service, including whether—

(A)such spectrum may be best used for licensed or unlicensed services, or some combination thereof; and

(B)to permit additional licensed operations in such band on a shared basis; and

(2)include technical characteristics under which the band described in subsection (a) may be employed for mobile or fixed terrestrial wireless operations, including any appropriate coexistence requirements.

(c)Any spectrum that has been made available for licensed or unlicensed use on or after February 11, 2016, and that otherwise satisfies the requirements of section 1502 of this title may be counted towards the requirements of section 1502(a) of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 1503

Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73