DISH owns enough 12 GHz spectrum to cover 75% of Americans across the entire country and is one of a growing number of organizations that would like to have the FCC revisit the way the 12 GHz band can be used as it continues to unveil its wireless intentions. In 2003, the FCC designed the rules that would affect direct broadcast satellite service (DBS) but with more and more organizations speaking out, DISH and others are looking to the commission to reevaluate the way the 12 GHz band is regulated.
The goal of the ongoing calls for a reevaluation is to have the FCC open a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) which would be capable of answering the questions organizations are asking about the 12 GHz band. Organizations like DISH are hopeful that in doing so, the way the FCC is handling this band of spectrum in the U.S. is changed as the market and technology have changed since 2003.
DISH is working on improving its wireless capabilities more and more each day as it begins its journey as the fourth major wireless provider in America. Part of the terms and conditions set forth by the government when DISH offered to purchase Boost Mobile from Sprint as a part of its merger with T-Mobile, was to have 70% of Americans covered in its 5G network by the Summer of 2023. With the capability of covering 75% of Americans with its 12 GHz band, this could help DISH satisfy those terms and bolster its 5G intentions from the start.
Other companies are also vying for the release of 12 GHz bands but their uses such as SpaceX. The innovative space company, along with others, have been using 12 GHz bands to communicate with satellites in outer space. Despite having over 14,000 MHz of spectrum at its disposal, SpaceX is arguing that hundreds of satellites both that have already launched and will do so in the next few months depend on the capabilities of the 12 GHz band to do so properly. Within the 12 GHz band that is being looked at, there are 500 MHz of spectrum in question and from the looks of things, organizations will be continuing to spark the conversation on how the FCC is regulating this band of spectrum.
Source: Fierce Wireless
