The National Spectrum Management Association and Motorola supported the Fixed...

is needed since long-haul high-capacity fixed service radio links with path lengths greater than 10 miles are restricted to the 6 GHz band now, the NSMA said in comments at the FCC. “As the demand for greater mobile broadband services increase, the number of fixed service links increases as well as the demand for higher capacities on those links,” the association said. “As a consequence, the 6 GHz band is becoming more and more congested to the point of exhaustion in certain areas.” Problems caused by rain attenuation dictate the use of frequencies below 10 GHz for backhaul, Motorola said. “The FWCC Petition recognizes the escalating growth in mobile broadband and commensurate increase in demand for wireless backhaul, and asks that the Commission amend its rules and explore the feasibility of automating frequency coordination between Federal and non-Federal users in the 7125-8500 MHz band,” the company said. “Motorola supports the FWCC’s Petition and urges the Commission to initiate a rulemaking to examine these issues and effectuate the recommended rule changes.” Boeing supported a rulemaking, but said use of the band for government-mandated testing of commercial and military aircraft and satellites must not be affected. “Boeing holds several Office of Engineering and Technology experimental licenses and operates under additional NTIA assignments authorizing the use of spectrum in the 7125-8500 MHz band at sites throughout the United States,” it said. “Boeing uses these licenses and assignments to test and certify wireless communications systems installed on the commercial and governmental aircraft and satellites it manufactures.”