3.

5 GHz Spectrum
Sharing Charter
Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) Spectrum
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the
business opportunities for communications
service providers (CSPs) and mobile
network operators (MNOs) from a novel
Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)
based on dynamic shared spectrum access.
This paper explains how dynamic sharing
and scalable use of the 3.5 GHz spectrum
will increase the efficiency of spectrum use
in delivering fast growing and converging
mobile broadband and media traffic services
while paving the way for new innovations
such as Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G
networks.
The paper also provides technical details of
the CBRS feature and describe the network
nodes and interfaces that are either added
or modified for CBRS functionality.
Introduction
Over the past decade, wireless communication has
become critical for providing broadband coverage
to end users. It will become even more important
when 5G comes on the market in the next few
years, which will allow not only end users but also
smart devices such as smart watches and IoT
devices to be connected. This will generate a
significant increase in data traffic on the network.
As the demand of mobile communication
increases, so too does the demand for spectrum
availability, which is necessary for MNOs to
expand their capacity.
Indeed, auctioned spectrum resources available to
MNOs are scarce and spectrum has become one of
the most expensive resources, which is impeding
business growth. Various projections and reports
suggest that a spectrum shortage will be induced if
conventional auction and license spectrum
allocation model remains the only option for
assigning radio resources. This could well dampen
business opportunities and slow the adoption of 5G
technology.
One solution for resolving the spectrum issue is to
explore spectrum reuse and radio resource
management techniques designed to boost spectrum
use and to achieve higher efficiency. But due to the
rapid growth in demand for spectrum, there will
always be a shortage of spectrum.
This challenge demands creative solutions, most
notably the development of more flexible and
dynamic spectrum management systems. Until now,
only a subset of spectrum sharing research has
reached the regulation domain and several spectrum
sharing conceptsincluding a few supported by
national regulatory authorities (NRAs)have not
scaled up commercially as expected; TV White Space
(TVWS) being a recent example. Yet, after a decade
of study, a couple of new sharing models have
recently emerged and have been standardized, such
as Europe's Licensed Shared Access (LSA).
As a result, on April 21, 2015, the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) released a
Report and Order creating a unique CBRS that will
permit commercial use of 150 MHz of spectrum in
the 3550-3700 MHz band (3.5 GHz). The CBRS
Band (3.5-3.7 GHz) is currently occupied by military
and government users. Specifically, the 3550-3650
MHz spectrum is currently allocated for use by the
US Department of Defense (DoD) radar systems and
Fixed Satellite Services (FSS), while the 3650-3700
MHz spectrum incumbents are the FSS and the
grandfathered commercial wireless broadband
services.
2
The Wireless Innovation Forum (WIF) formed a
committee to facilitate the interpretation and
implementation of spectrum sharing rulemaking.
The committee allows industry and government
bodies to collaborate to implement a common,
efficient and well-functioning ecosystem around
this technology.
This dynamic spectrum sharing system has been
formulated under the Spectrum Access System
(SAS) and Citizens Broadband Radio Service
(CBRS). CBRS has been introduced for WiMax,
LTE-compatible bands, primarily targeting small
cell applications complementing primary mobile
networks.
The concept of dynamic sharing is useful for
characterizing the business environment
regarding CBRS spectrum sharing. The spectrum
must be available to be licensed by the FCC for
exclusive use or made available for shared access
by commercial and government users. Both
licensed and unlicensed wireless broadband
technologies can be deployed. CBRS has been
introduced on LTE-compatible TDD bands,
primarily targeting small cell applications that
complement primary mobile networks. There is
great interest in deploying LTE in CBRS band for
small cells. This is different from previous
LTE-TDD bands in term of spectrum emissions
mask requirements and localized, possibly
non-planned deployments.
The 3GPP standardization body is also planning
to add this in 3GPP technical specifications,
specifically adding a new band for the 150 MHz
available spectrum with other emission
requirements.
While deployment of 3.5 GHz operations is only
now emerging, a number of CSPs are already
developing technology and promoting solutions
to be used in the band. For example, the LTE-U
Forumwhose members include Verizon,
Ericsson, Nokia, Alcatel-Lucent, Qualcomm,
Huawei, Siemen and Samsungare working on
protocols for unlicensed 3.5 GHz spectrum
operations. There are over 40 telecom service
companies that are developing solutions for this
feature.
What follows is an elaboration of the technical
details of the CBRS functional architecture.
3
01 Spectrum
Also, it can promote a diversity of
heterogonous-network (HetNet) technologies,

Aggregation particularly small cells. Frequency 3550-3700

MHz (3.5 GHz) band will be licensed as the

Environment Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). The

The FCC defines CBRS as an innovation band,
where it can assign spectrum to commercial
mobile broadband (MBB) systems, such as 3GPP
LTE, on a shared basis with incumbent radar and
FSS systems.
entire 150 MHz will be managed by a Spectrum
Access System (SAS), which is a database system.
In general, the band will have three tiers of users.
Figure 1 provides an overview of the three tiers
and their relative priority to other users in the
band.

Incumbent user for complete Range (3550-3700 MHz)

Grandfathered Wireless
Priority Access License from 3550-3650 MHz
Broadband (3650-3700 MHz)

General Authorized Access for complete

Range (3550-3700 MHz)

LTE Band 42 LTE Band 43

(3550-3650 MHz) (3650-3700 MHz)

Figure 1: The 3 tiers of the Spectrum Access System that licenses the CBRS spectrum

4
The three-tiered architecture of the spectrum GAA users may use only certified,
sharing framework is structured as follows: commission-approved CBRS devices and must
register with the SAS and provide the operator
ID, device identification and geo-location
Tier 1: Incumbent Access (IA) information.
IA users include authorized federal and
grandfathered Fixed Satellite Service users There are specific rules that apply for dynamic
currently operating in the 3.5 GHz Band. These spectrum allocation for each of the three CBRS
users will be protected from harmful interference tiers. The rules get more restricting as you move
from priority-access and general authorized from Tier 1 to Tier 3 as shown in Figure 2.
-access users. IA users are primarily military 01 Incumbent licensees:
ship-borne radar, military ground-based radar, Consists of the incumbent federal users and
and fixed-satellite-service earth stations that fixed satellite service (FSS) operators.
receive but do not transmit. These incumbents will have complete
interference protection from the two lower
Tier 2: Priority Access (PA) CBRS tiers.
PA users are allowed to have a priority access
02 Priority Access licensees:
licenses (PALs) between 3550-3650 MHz
A PAL is authorization to use an unpaired
acquired through a competitive bid process
10 MHz channel in the 3550-3650 MHz
conducted by the FCC. PA users are protected
range in a geographic service area for a
from harmful interference from users in the
predefined period.
general authorized access tier. They are assigned
PA licensees can aggregate up to four PA
specific frequencies within their service area, and
channels in any census tract at any given
their frequency assignment should not be
time.
dynamically controlled by the SAS database. The
PA licensees must provide interference
PA layer covers critical access users at hospitals,
protection for Tier 1 incumbent licensees
utilities and government departments as well as
and accept interference from them.
non-critical users such as MNOs. PA users
However, PA licensees are entitled to
receive short-term priority authorizationfor
interference protection from GAA
example, three yearsto operate within
operators.
designated geographic areas with PALs. At the
end of the term, PAL will automatically terminate
03 General Authorized Access operators:
and may not be renewed.
The third-tier GAA permits access to 80
MHz of the 3.5 GHz band that is not
Tier 3: General Authorized
assigned to a higher tier.
Access (GAA) GAA operators receive no interference
The GAA tier is licensed by rule to permit open, protection from PA or Tier 1 operators, and
flexible access to the band. GAA users will be must accept interference from them.
allowed to use the 150 MHz band without any
interference protection from other CBRS users.
GAA users are permitted to use any portion of the
3550-3700 MHz band not assigned to a higher
tier user and may also operate opportunistically
on unused PA channels. Their frequency
assignment is dynamically controlled by the SAS
database.

65
 IA

PA

GAA

Figure 2: The pyramid of user priorities in the tiered CBRS architecture

Tiers 2 and 3 are regulated under Citizens interference of Tier 2 devices from Tier 3
Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). Citizens users; and interference between Tier 3 users.
Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBRSDs) are
the fixed base stations/access points that operate IA users have primary spectrum rights at all
under this new service; handsets are not CBSDs. times and in all areas over PA and GAA.
CBSDs can only operate under the authority and CBRS users must be capable of operating
management of a centralized Spectrum Access across the entire 3.5 GHz band, and discon-
System (SAS). tinuing operation or changing frequencies at
the direction of the SAS to protect IA users.
For instance, SAS manages the interference to Automated channel assignment by an SAS
incumbent user from Tiers 2 and 3; the will simply involve instructions to CBSDs to
use a specific channel, at a specific place and
time, within the 3550-3700 MHz users
equipment.

66
02 Opportunity for Non- 01 New Entrant/Cable Operator MVNO
CBRS is a compelling option for a new entrant,

MNO Neutral Host such as a cable operator, to build out its LTE
network. Specifically, it is ideal for offloading

RAN model traffic for the cable operators that is looking to

enter the mobile wireless industry with a
Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)
strategy. This could bring opportunities for
cable companies, internet companies and other
entities that are involved in current 600 MHz
CBRS opens up opportunities for improving
auctions, exploring LTE unlicensed spectrum,
in-building coverage using neutral host models
or in the early stages of considering 5G.
that are being commercialized through larger,
more expensive DAS systems. With this new
02 Enterprise Private LTE
framework, it is likely that a building owner, an
CBRS provides an opportunity to create a
enterprise, or a systems integrator might deploy
private LTE network, in similar manner as
equipment, using a neutral host RAN model.
Wi-Fi, to run enterprise- or venue-specific
Neutral-host providers can create a major new
applications on mobile devices of consumers or
category of mobile coverage, funded by the
workers. For instance, a mining company could
enterprise or property owner. There are two likely
set up a private LTE network at a remote
scenarios for utilizing CBRS.
mining site and run industrial IoT applications
on LTE devices.
03 MNOs Business
Opportunity from
CBRS
The telecommunication industry is being driven by
the growing demand for wireless data traffic and
impacted by the resultant deficit of available
spectrum. Technological standards, such as 4G
LTE, are continuously evolving to increase
data-traffic speed and more efficient use of
spectrum.
Spectrum sharing technologies enable more
dynamic spectrum management regulation and
framework to provide capacity for the
ever-increasing demand of mobile data traffic.
More flexible and scalable use of the 3.5 GHz
spectrum aims to increase the efficiency of
spectrum use in delivering fast growing and
converging mobile broadband and media services,
while paving the way to new innovations, for
example Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G.
The opportunity analysis indicates that MNOs
could benefit significantly from the new, shared
CBRS bands in order to cope with increasing
asymmetric media data traffic and to offer
differentiation through improved quality and
personalization of services.
Also, spectrum sharing schemes are high on the
agenda for regulators because by lowering the
entry barrier for spectrum, new alternative types
of operators may consider entering the wireless
broadband business. Utilization and
harmonization of the LTE ecosystem scale would
likely reduce risk related to technology maturity
and provide tools to seamlessly integrate
additional capacity.
CBRS also presents an opportunity to figure out
the right business model for in-building wireless
solutions. A major inhibitor to better indoor
coverage is that current small cell systems are
generally tied to a particular operator, making
them expensive and difficult to scale. CBRS offers
the potential for neutral host solutions at the
enterprise level. This could lead to creative
cost-sharing structures between equipment
companies, building owners and mobile
operators. The ability to acquire temporary
licenses also provide for new use cases. For
example, event-driven capacity and coverage
augmentation.
Also, 3.5 GHz spectrum rules create
opportunities for equipment makers and service
providers. New RF-band support will be needed
for next-generation equipment. Successful 3.5
GHz business ventures depend not only on solid
business planning, but also proactive regulatory
compliance to avoid being caught in the
crosshairs of the FCCs Enforcement Bureau.
8
7
MNOs see a number of benefits emerging from A comprehensive and successful CBRS
the adoption of CBRS sharing technology, includ- implementationwith a supportable and
ing: harmonized regulatory environmentis a
first-order requirement before MNOs can build
01 Shared spectrum allocation improves
and capture value from the CBRS band. Indeed,
overall spectrum use efficiency
CBRS require a unique level of public-private
02 The ability to unbundle investments in
cooperation. The FCC and industry must work
spectrum, network infrastructure, and
closely to ensure proper development and
services
implementation of the spectrum sharing scheme.
03 Potentially lower entry barriers for
Incumbent users of 3.5 GHz channels must get
challenger MNOs and new alternative
comfortable with the idea of sharing the
types of operators
spectrum with private-sector entities.
04 Better QoS spectrum may increase dense
urban area business usage
One issue that remains controversial is the
05 Additional GAA capacity for offloading
requirement for exclusion zones that protect
06 Harmonized LTE technology base leverage
the incumbents within a certain radius, and near
07 Regulators considering shared spectrum
coastal areas.
framework in the EU and the US

MNOs see many benefits of CBRS. But like every
new technology, there are always some initial
limitations and challenges. Indeed, theres a long
list of potential challenges facing CBRS when it is
deployed for commercial use, including:
01 Limited spectrum availability with limited
MNO business opportunities
02 An impact on exclusive spectrum licensing
model and availability in the future
03 The need for global and national
regulations outside of the US may slow
entry. Harmonization is a precondition for
fully scaling and enabling potential benefit
04 Uncertainty and risks related to regulation
in timing, term, licenses and flexibility
exposes MNOs to risk and may deter them
proceeding with the investment
05 The federal incumbent security
requirements need to be sanitized
06 Need standardization of SAS functionalities
for 3GPP ecosystem and technologies
07 The increased technical and operational
complexity of SAS will increase capital and
operational costs
Users in all three spectrum tiers must have
confidence in the management capabilities of
SAS. Federal incumbent users must be
comfortable that the SAS will protect existing
operations. PALs must have certainty that they
will not experience harmful interference to their
authorized spectrum and that it will not
mistakenly be reallocated to other users. And
GAA users must have confidence that SAS
algorithms will permit dynamic use of available
spectrum without causing interference to higher
tier users. The FCC should adopt a detailed
transitional licensing approach, enabling
immediate use of this spectrum while the SAS is
further developed and refined.

9
7
04 CBRS Technical The SAS-SAS interface, on the other hand, enables
SAS interoperability. Through SAS-CBRS interface,

Details SAS authorizes and manages the use of spectrum in

CBRS. The main functionality of SAS is to manage
frequency coordination and spectrum assignment.

CBSDs are fixed base stations or networks of

This section provides details about the CBRS
end-to-end architecture model and the SAS
functional architecture.
CBRS End-to-End Architecture
As shown in Figure 3 below, the CBRS architecture
contains SAS-CBSD and SAS-SAS interfaces. These
interfaces have been standardized by the Wireless
Innovation Forum (WINNF) working with Spectrum
Sharing Community (SSC).
stations operating on PA or GAA access tiers in
CBRS that provide network accesses to users. A
CBSD registers itself as a SAS with its device and
geo-location information. Once CBSD is registered
and authorized, CBSD transmits within the
operation parameters provided by SAS. It complies
with the configuration update messages from SAS.
CBSD also communicates with SAS reporting
channels selected from granted range and received
signal strength. End user devices, such as user
equipment (UE) are not considered CBSD.

CBSD #1 Proxy /
Network
User Manager FCC data base
commercial
SAS 1 user/licenses
CBSD #2

User

CBSD #3

User
FCC database
for incumbent
SAS 2 user
CBSD #4
User

Figure 3: The end to-end functional architecture of the CBRS model

9
7
SAS Functional Architecture
The SAS architecture is being developed by the WINNFSSC as a common baseline that can be used by all
working groups in the SSC.

FCC Database SAS 2

Informing Incumbent SAS 1 Incumbent Detection (ESC)

Domain Proxy

CBSD Sensing
(Optional) Element Management System (optional)

CBSD #1 CBSD #2 CBSD #3 CBSD #4

Figure 4

SAS Overview 07 Protect PALs from impermissible interference

A SAS in the CBRS architecture plays the
important role of smoothing functionality of CBRS
features. SAS have the following functions:
01 Authorize and administrate all policies and
procedures developed by the SAS
administrator for CBRS functionality
02 Register and authenticate the identification
information and location of CBSDs
03 Control the available frequencies at a given
geographic location and assign them to
CBSDs
04 Resolve the maximum permissible
transmission power level for CBSDs at a
given location and communicate that
information to the CBSDs
05 Provides incumbent protection based on
the geographical location
06 Communicate with the environmental
sensing capability (ESC) to obtain
information about federal IU transmissions
and instruct CBSDs to move them to
another frequency range or cease
transmissions
from other CBRS users
08 Facilitate coordination between GAA users to
promote a stable spectral environment
09 Ensure secure and reliable transmission of
information between the SAS, ESC and CBSDs
10 To protect grandfathered wireless broadband
licensees
11 To resolve conflicting uses of the band while
maintaining, as best as possible, a stable radio
frequency environment
12 Provides incumbent protection based on
exclusion- and protection-zone settings. Also,
perform incumbent protection dynamically via
the assistance of ESC by sensing the presence
of incumbent users
13 Provide an approved ESC with any sensing
information reported by CBSDs if available
14 Facilitate coordination and information
exchange between SASs
15 Take care of the terms of current and future
international agreements related to the CBRS.
16 Allocate protected 10 MHz frequency blocks
for each PAL for which a requesting CBSD
qualifies

11
7
Domain Proxy Role Each CBSD is required to perform a set of
prerequisite procedures before a spectrum request
A domain proxy may exist to function as an
can be granted and actual transmission can start.
intermediate network management layer between
CBSDs are required to discover SAS occupancy at a
SAS and a group of CBSDs. In this case, SAS
given location and register themselves. Once
communicates directly with the domain proxy
registered, CBSDs can communicate with SAS to
rather than with each individual CBSD. It operates
request a spectrum assignment by providing a set
the CBSD network and manages the network
of requested parameters and geometries. As
configuration of multiple devices, performing tasks
explained above, for SAS high-level functionality,
such as bulk CBSD registration and channel
it evaluates the request based on situational
assignment. EMS may optionally co-located with
awareness of incumbent presence as well as
domain proxy.
exclusion zoning. SAS replies to CBSD with either
a granted or rejected request response. If spectrum
SAS-CBSD Interface Protocol is allocated, the CBSD is required to check with
Procedure SAS on a periodic basis to refresh and revalidate
the spectrum grant. SAS dynamically adjusts or
This section elaborates all the procedures used in
revokes the granted spectrum based on updated
SAS-CBSD communications, which is captured in
incumbent-presence information. CBSD can also
Figure 5 below. The SAS-CBSD interface is a
vacate granted spectrum and inform SAS.
typical server-client setup.

This procedure is how CBSD discovers a SAS entity. A Domain Proxy can
SAS Discovery
also discover a SAS on behalf of all CBSDs that it serves.

How a CBSD registers with a SAS. It is initiated after the CBSD has successfully discovered the SAS.
CBSD Registration
The CBSD initiates the procedure by performing SAS Authentication

Spectrum Inquiry allows registered CBSDs to request information on available channels. With SAS providing
CBSD Spectrum Inquiry
available channel information, the CBSD can decide operational parameters for a grant request.

How a CBSD requests spectrum from SAS. This procedure can only be performed by CBSD after it has
CBSD Grant Request
successfully registered with the SAS and has obtained its CBSD ID.

Heartbeat Request informs SAS that the CBSD is still using the allocated spectrum. It also allows SAS to
CBSD Heartbeat Request
suspend or terminate the grant.

CBSD Spectrum Relinquishment This procedure describes how a CBSD informs SAS if a grant is no longer used by the CBSD.

Figure 5: The six SAS-CBSD interface procedures

12
7
SAS-SAS Interface There are specific requirements for CBSD
equipment that will be utilized for commercial
The SAS-to-SAS interface defines the methods and
use in the 3.5 GHz band for CBRS operators.
protocols that govern the communication, coordi-
These requirements include:
nation and information exchange between two
SAS implementations. The requirements for 01 Having low transmit power requirements
SAS-to-SAS interface include: for unlicensed spectrum as equipment
deployment in the GAA band will largely be
01 Cooperate to develop a standardized
small cell technology.
process for coordinating operations with
other SAS, avoiding any conflicting
02 Category A CBSDs are lower powered than
assignments, maximizing shared use of
Category B CBSDs but both are subject to
available frequencies, ensuring continuity
the following requirements and
of service to all registered CBSDs, and
capabilities:
providing the data collected.
Two-way transmission on any frequency in
the 3.5 GHz band
02 Coordinate with other SAS administrators
Determinate coordinates to an accuracy of
including, to the extent possible, sharing
plus-or-minus 50 meters horizontal and 3
information, facilitating non-interfering use
meters of elevation
by CBSDs connected to other SAS,
Operate at or below maximum power level
maximizing available GAA frequencies by
authorized by an SAS consistent with
assigning PALs to similar channels in the
equipment authorization and within
same geographic region, and other
geographic areas and frequencies permitted
functions necessary to ensure that available
by the SAS
spectrum is used efficiently.
Receive and comply with incoming signals
from an SAS regarding power limits and
CBRS Device Details
frequency assignments
New RF-band support is needed on CBSD equip-
ment for small cells to enable the deployment of Figure 6 below provides more details on the
the protocols in GAA unlicensed spectrum. The hardware characteristics for Categories A and B
FCC defines three types of CBSD device catego- CBSD services. CBSDs and end-user devices must
ries: Category A, Category B for rural areas, and comply with the power limits in Figure 6.
Category B for non-rural areas.

Device Type Geographic Area PMAX Maximum ERIP* Maximum PSD**

End user Device All na 23 na

CBSD A All 24 30 14

CBSD B Non-Rural` 24 40 14

CBSD B Rural 30 47 20

Figure 6: Hardware characteristics of Category A and B CBSDs

*ERIP = Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) is the output power when a signal is concentrated into a smaller area by the Antenna
**PSD= Power Spectral Density

13
7
Additional Requirement For
Category A CBSDs
CBSDs are considered Category A CBSDs if they are
deployed indoor or operated outdoors with antennas
height not exceeding six meters above average
terrain. Here are some additional requirements for
these devices:
01 This transmission shall also indicate
whether the device will be operated indoors
or outdoors
02 When registering with an SAS, Category
ACBSDs must transmit all information
mentioned in US government
03 Any CBSD operated at a higher power than
specified for Category A CBSDs in the US
government regulation 96.41 - General radio
requirements will be classified as, and
subject to, the operational requirements of a
Category B CBSD
Additional Requirement For
Category B CBSDs
CBSDs deployed or operated outdoors with
antennas exceeding six meters height above average
terrain will be classified as, and subject to, the
operational requirements of Category B CBSD.
Below are additional requirements for these devices:
01 Category B CBSDs must be professionally
installed
02 In the 3550-3650 MHz band, Category B
CBSDs must be authorized consistent with
information received from an ESC
03 Category B CBSDs are limited to outdoor
operations
04 When registering with an SAS, Category B
CBSDs must transmit all information
required under 96.39 - Citizens Broadband
Radio Service Device (CBSD) general
requirements and additional information
including antenna gain, beam width,
azimuth, down-tilt angle, and antenna height
above ground level
CBRS Implementation Phase
The FCC has planned the implementation of CBRS
operations in two phases. Phase I, which covers
large parts of the US, will be available for CBRS
use and will commence as soon as a commercial
SAS is approved by the FCC and made
commercially available. Phase II, which will cover
the rest of the US including coastal cities, will be
made available for CBRS operations once an ESC
is implemented.
End User Device Requirements
CBRS will have no impact on end-user devices
except those with a maximum RF ERIP of 23 dBM.
7
05 Aricents CBRS
Solution
03 Neutral Host
Operators offering CBRS spectrum can offer
a neutral host to serve connections in
settings where LTE penetration is poor, such
as airports. The service would be accessible
for both Verizon and AT&T subscribers.
Aricents expertise in CBRS can help CSPs and
MNOs take full advantage of emerging
04 CBRS LTE along with Wi-Fi AP in
opportunities. Here are four examples:
Stadiums

01
In stadiums or large events, where the user
Solving ecosystem issues for CBRS
capacity requirements are very large,
band
vendors that support CBRSsuch as Ruck-
In Japan, 3.5 GHz is deployed for normal
uscan offer LTE connections using CBRS
LTE network so all the latest iPhones
along with a neutral host. This solution
come inbuilt with 3.5 GHz. The current
provides LTE connections to a large number
issue of non-availability of UEs will be
of subscribers across multiple MNOs.
removed once phones are upgraded to
support the LTE frequencies offered by
Japan. These phones can then be used to
access CBRS spectrum in the US.

02 Playing with MuLTEFire

CBRS can be used along with SIM-less
devices as defined in MuLTEFire for
offering LTE as a connection to a wide
variety of IoT devices. Using CBRS,
MulteFire can be deployed by anyone,
anywhere, much like Wi-Fi hotspots.

15
7
Summary and An important use case for CBRS is the
improvement in building coverage and capacity

Conclusion increase using LTE. It has the advantage of

being a more Wi-Fi like business model and
economics. Indeed, CBRS opens a new
business model for in-building wireless
The shared spectrum model is an innovative
solutions. Also, the FCC has relaxed the Base
approach adopted by the FCC for the Citizens
Station Transmission power requirements
Broadband Radio Service. It constitutes a bold
which creates business cases to use CBRS
and historic shift in spectrum allocation and
outdoors.
creates many opportunities for MNOs, communi-
cation and other telecommunications service
Perhaps the most challenging category of
companies.
devices for the CBRS will be mobile computing
devices. Developing and deploying an effective
Market analysis shows that mobile network
spectrum sharing mechanism through CBRS
operators could benefit significantly from the
would be a significant achievement. It is an
new, shared CBRS bands. 3GPP LTE evolution is
exciting opportunity because it makes available
the key software enabler while the regulatory
a significant amount of spectrum without the
framework supports the availability of more
need for expensive auctions and is not tied to a
spectrum that create economic value for opera-
particular operator.
tors.

CBRS is an opportunity for the US to demon-

strate new technology, business models and
inject regulatory innovation. The proposed
opportunities enable mobile network operators
to retain their existing customers, acquire new
customers and strengthen their overall market
position by offering improved personalized
mobile broadband data services.

16
7
References
1. http://www.wirelessinnovation.org/
2. https://www.govregs.com/regulations/
expand/title47_chapterI_part96_subpartE_sect
ion96.39
3. http://wimaxforum.org/
4. http://www.rcrwireless.com/
5. http://www.federatedwireless.com/
6. https://techpinions.com/3-5-ghz-spectrum-
an-opportunity-for-the-u-s-to-lead-in-wireless-i
nnovation
7. http://www.wirelessinnovation.org/page/
Policies_and_Procedures
8. 4G Americas White Paper oct 2014 by group of
4G Americas' Board of Governors members
9. Spectrum Sharing and SAS-CBSD Interface
Simulation, Author Hao Huang , Date 18.9.2016
10. Citizens Broadband Radio Service Spectrum
Sharing Framework: Author Seppo Yrjl Oct
2016

17
Contact
If you wish to schedule a call / meeting with an Aricent expert, please email us at marketing@aricent.com

Author
Mangal Singh, Director, Technology
Email: mangal.singh@aricent.com

About Aricent
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the United States and other countries.

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