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FCC To Vote On Spectrum For 5G Wireless Networks (reuters.com)

Posted by msmash on from the faster-download-speeds dept.

5G has been in the news for years, but it's not available for commercial use just yet. Things will become clearer this week. The Federal Communications Commission will vote on July 14 to decide new rules to identity and open spectrum for next-generation high-speed 5G wireless applications. Reuters reports: FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said if the FCC "approves my proposal next month, the United States will be the first country in the world to open up high-band spectrum for 5G networks and applications." He said the FCC also will seek comments on opening other high-frequency spectrum bands. Policymakers and mobile phone companies say the next generation of wireless signals needs to be 10 to 100 times faster and be far more responsive to allow advanced technologies like virtual surgery or controlling machines remotely.

3 of 38 comments (clear)

  1. Re:4G is fast enough by BradleyUffner · · Score: 4, Informative

    It isn't just about speed. 5G also brings better ways to share existing spectrum without interference, adding capacity to the system.

  2. Re: Open Spectrum Blocks by Junta · · Score: 3, Informative

    The things I learn about that I never need to know...

    https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files...

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  3. Re:4G is fast enough by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 4, Informative

    Seriously, whatever happened to WiMax? It sure would be nice if phones had three major ways to handle data: cellular network (4g or whatever), WiMax, and WiFi. That way you would have a third option in-between "in my own home or at a cafe" and "nearly anywhere". Supposing WiMax were actually available that is.

    It worked fine when I had WiMax. LTE would not be available today if it were not for WiMax lighting a fire under the rear ends of the 3G people. They did an effective job of tying up the carriers in order to kill WiMax (in the US and Europe at least). This is why LTE falls so short of its design targets. It was rushed out to crush the threat from WiMax.

    I was one of many authors of the WiMax spec (I'm primarily responsible for the security protocol PKMv2) and worked on the design of WiMax chips, so my views have the jaded properties you might expect from an insider.

    The world with wireless data as an 802 protocol with voice running on top of it, rather than the other way around, would have been simply better.

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