The U.S. Department of State, acting on behalf of the U.S. Government, has put forth a proposal at the May 2023 Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL) in Mexico City. The proposal aims to open up the 3300-3400 MHz band for 5G mobile services in the Americas Region.
If the proposal is accepted as a regional initiative, CITEL will present it at the November 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). If adopted at the WRC-23, the international Radio Regulations would be updated to allow countries in the Americas to utilize this band for 5G services if they choose to do so.
With this proposal, the U.S. Government is committed to safeguarding existing services in this band while enabling interested countries to utilize it for 5G mobile services. This ensures the protection of critical operations and capabilities.
It’s important to note that the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration highlight that their support for the U.S. CITEL proposal does not affect the ongoing study examining the feasibility of sharing the broader lower 3 GHz band. Furthermore, the study’s recommendations regarding domestic use of the band are independent of this proposal.
This U.S. initiative represents a significant step towards advancing 5G technology on a global scale. By fostering international collaboration and providing opportunities for nations to benefit from enhanced mobile services, the proposal aims to shape the future of telecommunications in the Americas and beyond.