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Author Archives: Kurt Schaubach

 About Kurt Schaubach

Kurt Schaubach brings 25 years of wireless industry experience to Federated Wireless where he plays a key role in developing technologies and new business strategies to create the next-generation architecture of broadband wireless.
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From Our CEO: What the Sharing Economy Means for the Wireless Industry

Wireless Week featured Federated Wireless’ CEO Iyad Tarazi in their CTIA Super Mobility Show Daily where he provided insight on how the sharing economy is extending beyond couch surfing and ridesharing into the wireless industry, specifically through shared spectrum.Below is an excerpt from the article.

“Many industries are being transformed by the concept of shared economics. Shared economic models exploit the power of the Internet to simplify the process and shorten the distance between providers and users of goods. One example often used is Airbnb, which directly connects people who have homes, apartments and rooms to rent with travelers who need them. Airbnb users – the traveling public – can now rent a place to stay without needing real estate agents, management companies, hotel chains, travel websites or traditional property managers, achieving great savings in the process.

The sharing economy is enabled by cloud computing through its massive scalable processing power, its simplicity, and its affordable and easy access in many places around the world. But the sharing economy is most effective when you have perishable supply.

In communications networks, a case can be made that spectrum is also a perishable resource; spectrum value and utility is very much tied to the economics of supply and demand at a specific location and time. Having spectrum available in one place at one time doesn’t help if it is needed somewhere else. And, just as the cloud has enabled the sharing of real estate, it has also enabled the sharing of spectrum.”

Read the full article in Wireless Week here.

FCC’s Allocation of High-Band Spectrum Supports Shared Spectrum Model

On July 14, the FCC adopted new rules for wireless broadband operations in mm-Wave bands (high frequencies above 24 GHz) making the United States the first country in the world to make this spectrum available for next generation “5G” wireless services.  5G will leverage much smaller cell sizes than 4G LTE, enabling data throughput at higher speeds, lower latency and greater power efficiency.

The new rules open up nearly 11 GHz of high frequency spectrum for flexible, mobile and fixed use wireless broadband; 3.85 GHz of licensed spectrum and 7 GHz of unlicensed spectrum.  Much of this spectrum was allocated under conventional exclusively licensed or unlicensed frameworks.  While Federated Wireless argued for more of this spectrum to be allocated for shared use, we recognize that the decisions made by the FCC were important for global harmonization of future 5G standards. While the United States is leading the shared spectrum movement, the rest of the world is moving much more slowly.

One particularly positive result from the FCC rulemaking was the decision to allocate 600 MHz of shared spectrum at 37 GHz.  The Commission also adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which seeks to adopt rules for another 18 GHz of spectrum, encompassing eight additional high-frequency bands. In these eight bands over 10 GHz of spectrum is considered for SAS-based (FCC Part 96 CBRS rules) shared use.  Federated Wireless looks forward to shaping the 5G spectrum landscape, in which shared spectrum will play a key role.

Recognizing the limited propagation range and high spectral reuse characteristics of the millimeter wave bands, the FCC also proposed a “use it or share it” framework for various licensed bands.  This framework could leverage the effective sharing approaches developed by Federated Wireless – a nod to the shared spectrum model.

As we build confidence in sharing technology with the 3.5 GHz band, Federated Wireless looks forward to the opportunity to increase spectrum capacity for its SAS. The challenge is to prove that sharing allocated spectrum is possible and convincing the world of the importance of shared spectrum. Federated Wireless will participate in finalizing the rules for these new bands this fall. We believe that America will lead the rest of the world in demonstrating how sharing works, and hopefully greater international harmonization will follow soon.

Spectrum a Key Theme for Mobile for the Rest of 2016

The latest Lowenstein’s View on FierceWireless reviewed some of the key happenings in the mobile industry so far this year and what can be expected in the rest of 2016. Among Mark’s key themes was spectrum, particularly the opportunity we’ve helped to create in 3.5 GHz band.

“Keep an eye out in the ‘unlicensed’ world, as well. Development on the LTE-U front has stalled some, to the frustration of, especially, T-Mobile and Verizon. But this will kick into gear in 2H 2016 or 1Q 2017. I am even more excited by the prospects of the 3.5 GHz band. The FCC is majorly behind this, and I think it presents an opportunity for the U.S. to assert some leadership position in wireless innovation. Google will be testing 3.5 GHz in Kansas City this summer, and there should be some decisions about who will run the Spectrum Access Systems over the next 6-9 months.”

We couldn’t agree more. The groundwork has been laid for the 3.5 GHz band and commercialization is just around the corner. Here’s what we’ve done so far this year:

  • Created the CBRS Alliance with the biggest industry players, including Google, Intel, Nokia, Qualcomm and Ruckus Wireless, to develop and promote solutions for this band.
  • Filed our SAS Application for CINQ XP, which utilizes a three-tiered model designed to protect federal and commercial incumbents that already exist in the 3.5 GHz band and provide access to carriers and other industry participants.
  • Contributed to the WInnForum Standards that define the necessary operation and standard interfaces between the equipment that will facilitate spectrum sharing in the band.
  • Signed our First Customers, specifically Siemens and Telrad Networks, who will be using CINQ XP and partnering with us to further develop shared spectrum solutions specific to their markets.

We fully expect this momentum to continue through the rest of the year. We plan to sign more partners to our platform and have that approved by the FCC this year. We’ll also continue ramping up the CBRS Alliance to get more players involved and more solutions in the works.

Federated Wireless has been instrumental in creating the 3.5 GHz band ecosystem, something that will enable carriers and enterprises to seamlessly and cost effectively alleviate spectrum management challenges and substantially improve the performance and capacity of wireless networks for their customers. We agree with Mark on another thing – we truly believe that the 3.5 GHz band has great potential to drive innovation, support new business models and spur economic growth in the U.S. And that is why we are putting in this work.

First Commercial Announcements Demonstrate Demand for Shared Spectrum

Federated Wireless has signed two significant partners to it’s CINQ XP platform, which includes it’s Spectrum Access System (SAS) and Environmental Sensing Capability (ESC), before the solution has been certified. In the first shared spectrum commercial announcements, both made this month, Siemens and Telrad Networks will be using CINQ XP and partnering with us to further develop shared spectrum solutions specific to their markets. This demonstrates the substantial interest in and pent-up demand for dynamic shared spectrum services in the 3.5 GHz band.

Siemens, which supplies rugged wireless broadband solutions for harsh environment applications, will be using CINQ XP for its customers in the 3.55 – 3.7 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) frequency, in which it provides its WiMAX radio equipment. The partnership makes Siemens one of the first companies to use a SAS and ESC and, as part of the agreement, we will also jointly develop shared spectrum solutions for implementation in the many WiMAX radios currently deployed in mission critical networks.

Telrad Networks, a global provider of TD-LTE broadband solutions, has partnered with Federated Wireless to help current 3.65 GHz users protect their spectrum and access the additional 50 MHz recently made available, as well as help new parties access and utilize the spectrum. CINQ XP provides features designed specifically to support fixed wireless networks, and enables operator access to LTE with a reasonably priced entry point and immense scalability.

Efforts are currently underway for final certification and interoperability verification with the anticipated commercial availability of CINQ XP to come in 2017. In the meantime, Federated Wireless will be piloting its solution with other providers in the CBRS band. CINQ XP, built on a foundation of shared spectrum utilizing the SAS and ESC to dynamically allocate and manage spectrum resources, provides a range of shared spectrum services, enabling OEMs with the tools needed to operate wireless equipment on shared spectrum.

CINQ XP’s cloud-based platform provides for a seamless, scalable solution in the CBRS band. While providers will soon be required to use a SAS to manage spectrum resources, these early moves place Siemens, Telrad and Federated Wireless at the forefront of shared spectrum. They also affirm the CBRS model; this isn’t just an interesting spectrum experiment but rather a commercially viable way to allocate and manage spectrum.

Reaching a Milestone with WInnForum’s Standards for Spectrum Sharing

Last month, the Wireless Innovation Forum released “Requirements for Commercial operation in the U.S. 3550-3700 MHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service Band” to ensure properly functioning spectrum sharing in the band. Specifically, the report defines the necessary operation and standard interfaces between the equipment that will facilitate spectrum sharing in the band, including Spectrum Access Systems (SAS), Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices, End User Devices, Priority Access Licenses and General Authorized Access equipment.

Federated Wireless has played an important leadership role in the journey to make shared spectrum a reality. The WInnForum requirements are based on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s Citizens Broadband Radio Service rules that were finalized in April. Federated Wireless helped create these rules. In addition, our CEO, Iyad Tarazi, co-chairs WInnForum’s Spectrum Sharing Committee, which works to ensure that the 3.5 GHz band can be successfully commercialized through the creation of solutions and standards that will encourage rapid development of the CBRS ecosystem, protect incumbent operations and benefit all potential stakeholders in the band.
As we shared last month, Federated Wireless has officially begun the certification process with the FCC for our SAS, CINQ XP,  a cloud-hosted data analytics and intelligence solution designed to help wireless carriers extend the allocation and management of spectrum resources and enable 5G, the next generation of mobile communications. This latest milestone – the WInnForum report – is another key step in the direction of the commercialization of shared spectrum. As always, Federated Wireless is proud to serve as a leader in bringing all of the pieces – the regulations, the technology and the standards – together.

Shared Spectrum Advancement Marks Major Milestone in Wireless History

The wireless industry just achieved a major milestone, but these events have gone relatively unnoticed. On April 28, the FCC finalized its rules for the Citizens’ Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) opening 150 MHz of spectrum for shared use by commercial entities in the 3.5 GHz band and ushering in what is perhaps the most significant spectrum regulation in decades. Last week week Federated Wireless, along with other industry players, officially began the certification process with the FCC for our Spectrum Access System (SAS), the keystone of the CBRS band.

The innovative three-tier shared spectrum model adopted by the FCC is poised to provide benefits that far exceed what has been achieved with other wireless bands. It will increase the speed, capacity and adaptability of wireless networks, leading to a better mobile broadband experience for users. In addition, shared spectrum will be applied widely to enterprise and industrial applications, advancing manufacturing, energy and healthcare, and fueling the next cycle of wireless innovation and the growth of the U.S. economy. All the while, access to the band by federal incumbents is fully ensured, supporting their ongoing and essential national defense missions.

Federated Wireless’ Spectrum Access System (SAS) provides access to the real-time management of shared spectrum. Once approved, our CINQ XP platform – a cloud-hosted data analytics and intelligence solution – will make it easy for wireless carriers to extend the allocation and management of spectrum resources and enable 5G, the next generation of mobile communications.

Federated Wireless has been integral in paving the way to commercial use of the 3.5 GHz band, as we were responsible for much of the advocacy that led to the FCC’s Report and Order. We believe that this will lead to future 5G applications through a massive increase in the reach, capacity, and resiliency of wireless networks.

Last week, the FCC posted a blog recognizing the momentum behind the 3.5 GHz band. These recent milestones represent significant progress toward putting 3.5 GHz band spectrum to use to improve connectivity for everyone. Federated Wireless is proud to be a part of this important innovation.

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