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3 GHz Band

ARRL Response to Amateur Access on 3.5 GHz Band

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The following is a chronology of ARRL efforts related to the FCC's proposal and decision that orders
the “sunsetting” of the 3.3 – 3.5-GHz amateur radio secondary spectrum allocation. It is in descending chronological order, with the first actions at the bottom of the page and the latest presented first. It is comprised of items as reported by ARRL as well as ARRL comments and interactions filed with the FCC in response to the proposal.


 Current status:  Secondary operations are permitted to continue indefinitely in the remainder of the band, 3.3 – 3.45 GHz, pending future FCC proceedings. 
   
While Amateur Radio access to the 3.3-3.5 GHz band is no longer codified in Part 97, per Footnote 103 (US103) to the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations (47 C.F.R. 2.106), Amateur Radio Secondary operations are permitted to continue indefinitely in the 3.3 - 3.45 GHz band pending future FCC proceedings.
    The footnote reads: "In the band 3300-3550 MHz, non-Federal stations in the radiolocation service that were licensed (or licensed pursuant to applications accepted for filing) before February 22, 2019 may continue to operate on a secondary basis until 180 days after the issuance of the first flexible-use licenses in the 3.45 GHz Service. No new assignments shall be made. In the band 3300-3500 MHz, stations in the amateur service may continue to operate on a secondary basis until new flexible-use licenses are issued for operation in the band in which they operate. Amateur operations between 3450 MHz and 3500 MHz must cease within 90 days of the public notice announcing the close of the auction for the 3.45 GHz Service. Stations in the amateur service may continue to operate in the band 3300-3450 MHz on a secondary basis while the band’s future uses are finalized, but stations in the amateur service may be required to cease operations in the band 3300-3450 MHz at any time if the amateur service causes harmful interference to flexible-use operations."

Amateur Operation in 3.45 - 3.5 GHz Segment Must Cease by April 14, 2022
ARRL News | 1/18/2022
    The FCC has established April 14, 2022, as the date by which amateur radio transmissions must stop in the upper 3.45 – 3.5 GHz segment of the amateur secondary 9-centimeter band. Secondary operations are permitted to continue indefinitely in the remainder of the band, 3.3 – 3.45 GHz, pending future FCC proceedings. *
    On January 14 the FCC released DA 22-39, which announces the results of Auction 110 for the 3.45 – 3.55 GHz band. Release of this notice triggered FCC rules adopted last year requiring that amateur radio operations between 3.45 GHz and 3.5 GHz cease within 90 days of the public notice.

ARRL Continues Its Efforts to Preserve Amateur Radio Secondary Use of the 3 GHz Band
ARRL News | 10/7/2021

Putting Unused Spectrum to Work for Public Service, Education and Technology

Statement of Rick Roderick, ARRL President to U.S. House of Representatives, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology | 10/6/2021

Amateur Radio Gets a Partial Reprieve on 3.5 GHz
ARRL News | 3/22/2021

ARRL Asks FCC to Allow 3.4-GHz Operation until Spectrum is Occupied
ARRL News | 11/26/2020

ARRL Petitions FCC for Reconsideration of Order Removing 3.4 GHz Amateur Allocation
ARRL Letter | 11/12/2020

FCC Final Rule Facilitating Shared Use in the 3100–3550 MHz Band
Federal Register | Published October 9, 2020; Effective November 9, 2020

FCC Orders Amateur Access to 3.5 GHz Band to “Sunset”
ARRL News | 10/8/2020

Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WT Docket No. 19-348 (PDF)
FCC | Adopted September 30, 2020; Released October 2, 2020

ARRL Seeks Changes in FCC Proposal to Delete 3.4 GHz Amateur Band
ARRL News | 9/26/2020

ARRL Meeting with Senior FCC Staff; Ex Parte Presentation in WT Docket No. 19-348 (PDF)
ARRL Washington Counsel | 9/23/2020

ARRL Meetings with FCC Commissioner Assistants; Ex Parte Presentation in WT Docket No. 19-348 (PDF)
ARRL Washington Counsel | 9/23/2020

AMSAT Cites Need for Adequate Spectrum in Opposing Deletion of 3.4 GHz Band
ARRL News | 2/26/2020

ARRL Opposes FCC Plan to Delete the 3.4 GHz Band
ARRL News | 2/25/2020

ARRL Comments in Proceeding WT Docket No. 19-348 (PDF)
ARRL Washington Counsel | 2/21/2020

ARRL to Argue for Continued Access to 3-GHz Spectrum as FCC Sets Comment Deadlines
ARRL News | 1/24/2020

FCC Formally Adopts Proposals to Remove Amateur 3-GHz Band, Invites Comments
ARRL News | 12/17/2019

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WT Docket No. 19-348 (PDF)
FCC | Adopted December 12, 2019; Released December 16, 2019

ARRL to Oppose Proposal to Eliminate 3.3 – 3.5 GHz Amateur Allocation
ARRL News | 11/25/2019

NTIA Targets Portion of 3.4 GHz Band for Potential Wireless Broadband Use
ARRL News | 2/28/2018

Share Your Comments

Please share your comments with ARRL regarding regulatory decisions and further considerations about amateur radio access to the 3.5-GHz band.

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