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AT&T's idea AT&T's proposal takes it one big step further by moving the en re CBRS ecosystem downriver, to the 3.1-3.3 GHz. It argues that 10 years in, the CBRS band is under-used, delivering li le value and taking up valuable mid-band spectrum that could be be er used for 5G. The Department of Defense (DoD) favors sharing over giving up any spectrum in the 3.1-3.3 GHz band, making it a logical home for a relocated CBRS ecosystem, according to AT&T. Using an incen ve auc on to move current users to the lower por on of the band, the 3.5 GHz por on – which sits between the 3.45 GHz and C-band at 3.7 GHz – could then be used to create one big con guous 5G "Goldilocks" band for new, exclusively- licensed full power mobile applica ons. WISPA doesn't like it That's a big and kind of crazy ask, according to Richard Bernhardt, VP of Spectrum and Industry at industry associa on WISPA, which represents hundreds of WISPs across the country. WISPA members and others that are using the band have invested "massive amounts of money" in buying CBRS equipment, which likely will not be usable in the lower 3 GHz. "They have invested planning, client acquisi on and strategy and all the rest based on where they're located. They can't get that back," he told Fierce. "The cellular industry is looking for as much licensed exclusive use spectrum in the band as they can get," he said. "You know what? I want jelly beans and chocolate bars for Christmas too." But it's an old-fashioned way of looking at things, he said. "We've run out of spectrum. If you want to make spectrum more available, you have to be more efficient and effec ve with its use," and that includes sharing, he added. "This is all fantasy. To AT&T's credit, they par cipated fully in the forma on of CBRS and now they seem to want to par cipate fully in its destruc on because they're not using it. But look at Verizon, who's the No. 2 user of CBRS. They seem interested," Bernhardt said. Indeed, it must be interes ng mes at CTIA, which represents all the big wireless carriers. AT&T wants to relocate CBRS. Verizon uses CBRS and is advoca ng for be er usage of the band. T-Mobile wants the FCC to con nue its "experimental" approach to the 3.5 GHz band and ongoing evalua on of how it's doing. Analysts: No reason to upend CBRS Even with a new Trump administra on, analysts don't see AT&T's plan coming to frui on. Joe Madden, principal analyst at Mobile Experts, said it's an interes ng idea. However, "I think it's very unlikely that the FCC and the industry will adopt AT&T's proposal to move everything around." "There are incumbent users in both bands that will raise serious objec ons, and I don't see a compelling reason (whatever your poli cal posi on) to upend mul ple industries here," Madden told Fierce. "The evolu on of CBRS 2.0 is a more likely outcome, with higher power levels and other changes to make the exis ng CBRS scheme work be er." Senza Fili President Monica Paolini said she has no insight on how the new administra on may affect what happens in the CBRS band. However, changing the frequency alloca on is always a complex and expensive effort because it requires an investment from those who have already invested in the infrastructure. "This is especially a challenge if there are many en es – and not just mobile operators – using the band," she said. It's true that CBRS has not been as successful as an cipated, but the main reason is not the lack of poten al or interest, she added. "It is the complexity of the CBRS framework and the fact that, using a novel approach to spectrum use, adop on takes me. Technology and products may be available, but ge ng enterprises to adopt them takes me," she said, no ng the me it took Wi-Fi to take hold. "Instead of realloca ng the spectrum, we can make the CBRS pla orm more user friendly, and there have been efforts in that direc on," she concluded. "Ge ng wider adop on of private networks is going to be beneficial for the enterprises, vendors and service providers." Ar cle Credit: h ps://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/5g-apis- 2025-analysts-agree-fraud-protec on-works Talleycom.com SHEET QUARTER 4 2024

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