US wireless operator Sprint can now roll out 3G and 4G technology on its 800MHz specialised mobile radio licences after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lifted rules restricting how it could utilise the spectrum.
Strict conditions had been…
US wireless operator Sprint can now roll out 3G and 4G technology on its 800MHz specialised mobile radio licences after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lifted rules restricting how it could utilise the spectrum.
Strict conditions had been placed on how 800MHz band could be deployed owing to fears that operators could interfere with public safety operations that run on the spectrum. The FCC said operators had satisfied it that public safety licensees would not face interference issues.
Sprint had been lobbying the regulator to relax restrictions on the band for some time. It filed a petition in June 2011 to change the rules regarding how it could use its 800MHz.
In a statement Vonya McCann, senior vice president of government affairs at Sprint, said: “Today’s unanimous vote by the FCC paves the way for Sprint and other 800 MHz licensees to deploy advanced 3G and 4G technologies in the band. Doing so will enable a better customer experience for consumers and a more efficient use of spectrum.”
