Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-110

§1503 Millimeter Wave Spectrum

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

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The FCC must publish a notice to consider new rules within 2 years of March 23, 2018 (by March 23, 2020). The notice will look at allowing mobile or fixed ground-based wireless use, including advanced mobile services, in the 42000 to 42500 megahertz band. When making those rules, the FCC must study using the band for commercial wireless broadband, decide if it should be licensed, unlicensed, or both and whether licensed users can share it, and set technical limits and rules for how different users can coexist. Any spectrum made available on or after February 11, 2016 that meets section 1502 may count toward the requirements of section 1502(a).

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §1503

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

(a)FCC proceeding

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)Considerations

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)Spectrum made available on and after February 11, 2016

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

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110