The mmWave Coalition submitted comments to urge the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) to facilitate greater access to spectrum above 95 GHz for non-federal use. With minor exceptions, no licensed or unlicensed use of this spectrum is presently allowed under FCC rules. NTIA policies are key for access to these bands.

The Coalition strongly advocates that spectrum policy changes are essential for the international competitiveness of the U.S. Outside the U.S., R&D efforts are underway to exploit the unique characteristics of these mmWave frequencies.

The spectrum above 95 GHz is very different than the lower spectrum, where many basic concepts of spectrum policy were developed over the past 80 years. These technical differences include propagation characteristics that become more dependent on directional antennas and encourage the development of adaptive beamforming.

According to the mmWave Coalition, many foreign economic competitors are actively pursuing use of this spectrum, with coordinated government supported R&D and supportive national spectrum policies.

The mmWave Coalition, comprised of 10 member companies, is advocating for a well-defined U.S. regulatory framework supporting technology development and use of the spectrum above 95 GHz. Members of the coalition include Global Foundries, Keysight Technologies, Nokia, NYU WIRELESS, Qorvo and Virginia Diodes.