As it continues its campaign to repurpose wireless networks to support 5G deployment in the US, the C-Band Alliance (CBA) is suggesting that up to 200 MHz of mid-band/C-band downlink spectrum could be cleared, opening new frequencies while protecting current users.

The updated commitment is to be reflected in comment filings due on 29 October under the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) proceeding by US regulator the FCC. The proposal is said to increase by 80% the amount of spectrum that could be made available for 5G terrestrial use as compared to the initial proposal made by Intelsat and SES.
The association does concede that the repurposing of up to 200 MHz of C-Band spectrum is contingent upon a number of factors which at this stage cannot be guaranteed and their outcome is uncertain. These include a final FCC order that accepts the CBA’s proposal and a satisfactory market-based process with potential terrestrial 5G users of the repurposed spectrum.