The Federal Communications Commission voted on April 28 to establish a new licensing framework for the lower 37 GHz band (37–37.6 GHz), opening 600 MHz of spectrum to support wireless broadband, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and other commercial use cases. This long-awaited move aims to resolve the lack of clear sharing rules between federal and commercial users, which has stalled deployment in the band. Under the new rules, users will obtain a nationwide, non-exclusive license, coordinate on a per-site basis, and register deployments to ensure coexistence and efficient spectrum utilization.
The updated framework prioritizes federal military use in the 37.0–37.2 GHz portion while enabling commercial access across the full band. Licensees must initiate service within one year of site registration. The FCC is also seeking further public input on emission limits, coordination processes, and a possible transition to a dynamic spectrum sharing system. The decision, adopted unanimously by Chairman Carr and Commissioners Starks, Simington, and Gomez, is seen as a critical step in unlocking new innovation for 5G and beyond.
- FCC opens 600 MHz in the 37–37.6 GHz band for commercial wireless, IoT, and broadband applications.
- New rules establish nationwide, non-exclusive licenses with per-site coordination and registration.
- Military use remains prioritized in the 37.0–37.2 GHz sub-band, with required coordination.
- Licensees must begin operations within one year of site registration.
- FCC seeks additional public comment on emission limits, coordination mechanisms, and potential dynamic spectrum management.
- Action adopted as FCC 25-24 on April 28, 2025, with separate statements from Chairman Carr and Commissioner Starks.
