First Communications Applauds FCC Release of “Spectrum Frontiers” Report and Order

First Communications, LLC applauds the leadership role the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) took in its vote on July 14 to adopt the Upper Microwave Flexible Use (“UMFU”) Report and Order. The new “Spectrum Frontiers” rules open up four millimeter wave spectrum bands for flexible mobile and fixed-use wireless broadband. The newly opened UMFU service bands are 28 GHz (27.5-28.35 GHz), 37 GHz (37-38.6 GHz), 39 GHz (38.6-40 GHz), and a new unlicensed band at 64-71 GHz.

First Communications owns fifteen 28 GHz spectrum licenses in Ohio covering 95% of the state’s population with each license containing 1,150 MHZ of spectrum. First Communications has recently successfully released new, high bandwidth services utilizing its owned spectrum in the Akron, Canton and Youngstown markets. This clarification on the rules will accelerate First Communications’ investment in other markets such as Cleveland and Columbus, which are anticipated later this year.

Margi Shaw, CEO of First Communications commented, “This order by the FCC underscores the viability of this spectrum to provide high bandwidth services to customers in an efficient, stable and secure environment. We are confident our customers will immediately benefit from these new rules through a more robust investment from First Communications. We also look forward to working with the industry in exploring the advancement of 5G networks and technologies through the use of this high-band spectrum.”