FCC allows T-Mobile to test spectrum sharing in 1755-1780 MHz band

The FCC granted permission to T-Mobile USA to test the concept of sharing spectrum between federal and commercial users in the 1755-1780 MHz band. The pilot program is part of a larger government effort to use spectrum sharing technology to help meet mobile broadband demand.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a statement that by granting the authorization, the commission "hopes to facilitate commercial mobile broadband services in that band, which would significantly benefit millions of U.S. wireless consumers and help drive the mobile innovation economy." The tests are aimed at measuring the impact spectrum sharing will have on commercial carriers as they seek to deploy LTE.

T-Mobile to Start Release-10 LTE Trials This Summer

Since announcing its’ $4 billion 4G network evolution plan, T-Mobile has made substantial progress, operator has reported. T-Mobile LTE trials are underway and this summer it plans to begin using Release-10 equipment in these trials.

Operator has already selected Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to support It’s 4G network evolution plan, including network modernization and LTE deployment in 2013. Operator plans to modernize 37,000 cell sites and a move to the latest, LTE release 10 capable equipment.