FCC solicits public comments on unlicensed frequency use, standardization
Federal regulators on May 5 released a public notice soliciting information from stakeholders involved in the research and development as well as standards-setting associated with LTE-Unlicensed and Licensed Assisted Access.
Carriers and other telecom players are developing LTE-U as a way to expand capacity by using unlicensed frequency bands. Similarly, LAA is the method of using licensed spectrum generally reserved for Wi-Fi for LTE.
The FCC notice came from the Office of Engineering and Technology and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and said, in part: “A number of organizations have approached the Commission about the development of LTE-U and LAA in the context of the 3.5 GHz and 5 GHz proceedings, which would make spectrum available for general access and unlicensed use, respectively. Some have expressed concern that LTE-U and LAA operations may have a detrimental impact on existing and future use of unlicensed or shared spectrum.”
The document notes that industry groups 3rd Generation Partnership Project is developing LTE-U and LAA standards while the Institute of Electronics Engineers standardizes Wi-Fi and other unlicensed tech.
Clarity on “status of coordination” between the two standards-setting groups is among the stated goals of the solicitation for information.
Other goals include understanding: Are existing devices capable of software upgrades to implement LTE-U and LAA? What variations of the technology are in development? What frequency bands will be used for deployment? and What are carrier plans for pre-standard deployment?
FCC Commissioner Michael O’Reilly cautioned that overregulation could stifle innovation, which is in keeping with his comments on net neutrality.
“Today’s public notice walks a fine line between reasonable oversight and inappropriate interference with the standards-setting process,” he said. “The decision to jump into this space rather casually causes me great concern.
“In particular,” he continued, “any step that could insert the Commission into the standards work for LTE-U comes with great risk. I will be vigilant in ensuring that the Commission’s involvement does not result in taking sides with various stakeholders, hindering technological innovation, or having any say about what technologies should or should not be deployed.”
