FCC eyes cramming 5G and satellites into microwave spectrum chaos
Published Date: 12/3/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC wants to make it easier and faster to use certain high-frequency bands for both 5G networks and satellite services. They’re asking for feedback on new rules that could help more companies share these airwaves without stepping on each other’s toes. If you’re involved in wireless or satellite tech, get ready to weigh in by early 2026—these changes could speed up approvals and boost innovation!
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Raising or Removing Per-County/PEA Caps
The FCC is considering raising or eliminating the current numerical caps that limit earth station locations to three per county and (for 37.5–40 GHz receive) 15 earth stations per Partial Economic Area (PEA). The NPRM asks whether those caps and related population-coverage limits and infrastructure exclusions (e.g., protection for Interstates, major event venues, passenger railroads) should be modified or removed to facilitate more intensive FSS use of the UMFUS bands.
Automated 'Light-Licensing' Database
The FCC is proposing a “light-licensing” approach where nationwide, non-site earth station license holders would register individual sites in a common automated database. The database would run an automated interference check that returns a green, yellow, or red light (with possible use of an interference-to-noise (I/N) threshold such as -6 dB) to speed deconfliction between satellite earth stations and terrestrial base stations in the 24, 28, upper 37, 39, 47, and 50 GHz bands.
Voluntary UMFUS–FSS Commercial Deals
The FCC seeks comment on allowing UMFUS (terrestrial) licensees to voluntarily negotiate agreements with Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) operators that would let those earth stations operate without complying with Sec. 25.136 protection criteria. The NPRM also asks whether an UMFUS licensee that enters such an agreement could count that agreement toward its UMFUS buildout requirements (for example, under Sec. 30.104), provided the FSS operator licenses and deploys some number of earth stations by the buildout deadline.
Unprotected Operations During Coordination
The FCC seeks comment on allowing earth stations to begin non-interfering, unprotected operations while good-faith coordination with UMFUS licensees is ongoing, and on whether applicants should only need to provide evidence of completed coordination upon Commission request. The NPRM contrasts permitting operation only after completed coordination versus allowing operations during the pendency of coordination.
Nationwide Non-site Licenses With Site Registration
The FCC is considering permitting applicants to obtain a nationwide, non-site earth station license and then register individual sites upon coordination in a centralized database, instead of full Sec. 25.136 showings at initial application. This is proposed as a way to reduce first-in-time processing delays and the backlog caused by complex waiver requests.
Earth-Station 'Slot' Transfer Market
The FCC asks whether to attach transferable “slots” to earth station licenses (representing opportunities to operate under a county cap) and permit slot exchanges or transfers so slot-holders can transfer the right to operate to other parties without transferring the license. The NPRM seeks comment on transfer rules, whether exchanges should be notified to the Commission, and construction or operation milestone requirements tied to exchanges.
Expanded Collocation Rules (Antenna Farms)
The FCC asks whether it should expand the definition of collocation so multiple earth stations sited within the same antenna farm (even if several hundred meters apart) count as a single collocated site for the three-per-county limit. The NPRM also asks whether the March 2025 Space Bureau guidance on partial PFD contour overlap should be adopted as binding.
Automated I/N Interference Thresholds
The FCC seeks comment on whether the automated interference check should apply an interference-to-noise (I/N) protection threshold to trigger proactive mitigation or coordination, asking specifically if -6 dB (used in 70/80/90 GHz databases) is an appropriate threshold for UMFUS bands or whether another value is preferable.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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