Relying on NASA's concerns, Senators urge FAC to restrict the expansion of 5G

This week, two senators urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to curb the expansion of the next-generation broadband spectrum, citing the concerns of NASA and other scientific organizations. Scientists fear that 5G operations in the 24 GHz band will disrupt weather forecasts, senators warned.

"Do not let mobile companies operate in the 24 GHz band until weather forecasting operations are protected," said Democrat Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Maria Cantwell of Washington in a letter to the FCC. "To continue on the path followed by the FCC, to continue to ignore the serious alarms aroused by the scientific community could have detrimental consequences on the national security, the industries and the American people".

In 2016, the FCC approved new rules for opening high frequency frequencies, making the United States the first country in the world to offer frequencies above 24 GHz for 5G. Tom Wheeler, then commissioner of the FCC, described the move as a "game changer" for the United States. The FCC began auctioning spectrum between 24.25 and 25.25 GHz (24 GHz band) last March.

However, NASA, NOAA and other scientists have warned that emissions from broadband commercial transmissions in the 24 GHz band could hinder the collection of water vapor data.

Senators published an internal memo to the US Navy, released in March, which explains the problem: Due to the physical properties of the atmosphere, scientists can only accurately measure water vapor in the band 23.6-24 GHz. These data are essential for meteorological and oceanographic models. They are used to measure elements such as precipitation and wave height, as well as to determine the trajectory and intensity of tropical cyclones. However, NOAA and NASA anticipate interference from the adjacent 5G band that "will result in partial to complete loss of remotely sensed water vapor measurements," the memo said.

"Naval operations will continue, but with likely degradation of meteorological and oceanic models, which increases the risks of flight safety and navigation safety and degrades the awareness of the battle space for a tactical operational advantage, "concludes the memo.

The Navy memo states that the FCC could reduce out-of-band interference by tightening the bleed limits from -20 dB to -57 dB. In their letter, Wyden and Cantwell expressly requested the agency to refrain from awarding the final licenses to bidders for the 24 GHz spectrum auction until that date. that she agrees with these new limits.