Use the 3650 MHz Quick Look, a free interactive map tool, to find a list of protected areas. Courtesy: Comsearch, a CommScope Company.

Interactive Interference Protection Maps for 3.65 Gigahertz Spectrum

Comsearch has developed a free search tool for the 3650 MHz band to help licensees efficiently manage their spectrum usage and at the same time protect incumbent users in the band. Our tool leverages the FCC's 3650 MHz ULS data in addition to our own databases to provide information about other users. The map interface allows you to quickly assess the spectrum environment in your area of interest in order to help avoid potential harmful interference.

Licensees are required to deploy equipment that uses "contention-based protocols" and share the obligation to cooperate to avoid harmful interference with other licensees.

The 3650 MHz Quick Look determines if a base station is within close proximity to:

Other 3650 MHz broadband systems

Grandfathered earth stations

Adjacent-channel C-band earth stations

Adjacent-channel radar systems

Federal Radiolocation station

The process of obtaining authority to operate a non-exclusive nationwide 3.65 GHz network involves locating other 3650 MHz licensees with registered equipment in the area by searching ULS or Comsearch's free search tool. Since there is no "first come first served" rights for the band, new entrants would need to contact the licensee(s) to discuss coordination to avoid interference. Searching for other licensees in the broadcast area should be done frequently even after deployment, since new operators are permitted to enter the area.

3.65 GHz Licensees are also required to protect grandfathered, incumbent stations from interference. There are two types of grandfathered, incumbent stations that new 3650 MHz band licensees must protect: non-Federal grandfathered earth stations and Federal radiolocation stations. For the 86 non-Federal grandfathered earth stations, the protected zone is 150 km. Licensees may locate base stations within these protected zones only after obtaining an agreement from the earth station licensee through frequency coordination negotiations. For the three grandfathered Federal radiolocation stations, the protected zone is 80 km, and locating base stations within these zones requires approval of NTIA via coordination through the FCC.

Online References

White Paper: Estimating the Required Separation to Avoid Interference from Part 90 3650-3700 MHz Band Transmitters into C-Band Earth Stations, Comsearch, A CommScope Company