5G FCC Charter

There will be plenty of talk around future wireless technology such as 5G and the convergence of cable’s fixed network and mobile network at this year’s INTX. One panel on May 17 will explore how 5G, the next-gen wireless technology, may impact broadband delivery and consumption. Meanwhile, CableLabs is working with academic research center NYU Wireless to explore opportunities for cable in a 5G world. As FCC commish Jessica Rosenworsel said during CableLabs’ recent wireless conference in NYC, “wireless networks require wired networks” and “none of the 5G activity can happen unless there’s backhaul.”

Verizon CFO Fran Shammo said during the company’s 1Q earnings conference call last week that the telco seeks to be the 1st US company to roll out 5G services. “We are currently what I would call doing sandbox—sandboxes and creating innovation centers. We are working with the 5G Technology Forum, which includes all the major OEMs and handset OEMs. We will evolve this 5G ecosystem rapidly, just like we did with LTE, to ensure an aggressive pace of innovation,” he said. This year, Verizon is testing 5G technologies and aims to have an initial fixed wireless pilot starting in 2017. Shammo emphasized that “this is fixed wireless… It’s really not about mobile. It’s really around fixed wireless.” Shammo noted there’s strong interest from members of the 5G Forum to prepare for fixed wireless commercial pilots next year. “We’re helping the industry to adopt the rules on 5G deployment, including the opening of the spectrum bands above the 24 gigahertz. And we’re working with the FCC,” Shammo said.

Verizon is no stranger to cable, having partnered with MSOs including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House and Cox over the years on spectrum. Recently, Comcast execs suggested the MSO is working with Verizon on a potential wireless offering. For cable ops, 5G technology can complement and/or offload MVNO or MNO services, said Tim Burke, vp of strategic technology at Liberty Global during the CableLabs conference. The key is “seamless handover and interworking” between the 5G network and an MNVO or MNO’s network. In addition, 5G has the potential to become the next-generation WiFi technology as it works better with LTE and LTE-Unlicensed, according to Burke. 5G also offers consumers higher quality indoor and outdoor coverage versus WiFi, according to the exec.

Apparently DISH has its eyes on 5G as well. It’s pretty widely believed that 5G standards will be defined around 2018 and finalized around 2020, Tom Cullen, evp of corporate development and the wireless guru at DISH said during the company’s earnings call last week. Chmn Charlie Ergen said in Feb that the company’s spectrum could be used to launch 5G services, though the company is unlikely to build out its own nationwide wireless network. That means the satellite provider is open to potential 5G partners.

The Daily

Subscribe

The Truth Always Prevails in HBO’s Alex Jones doc

In an era where misinformation and conspiracies run rampant, there are few court cases that epitomize those dangers more than Alex Jones and the multiple lawsuits he faced regarding the claims he made about

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Calendar

Apr 25
2024 Cablefax 100 Awards Magazine Release: April 25, 2024
Jun 13
2024 American Broadband Congress Conference Registration is Open!
Jun 26
2024 FAXIES Awards Nominations Are Open!
Full Calendar

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB?
VIEW JOBS

Hiring? In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors, The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact Rob Hudgins, [email protected], for more information.