Private, Secure, Licensed 700 MHz Spectrum
Hailed by the FCC and the public as “the last beach front property in the wireless world,” 700 MHz radio spectrum is uniquely valuable for wireless broadband. It is so valuable that this slice of radio spectrum is expected to change the future of wireless technology; plus, it’s valued at $20–$30 billion by the Brattle Group, a leading independent advisor to the FCC. Why the adulation? This slice of radio spectrum is expected to change the future of wireless technology.
Contributing to the 700 MHz value are four physical characteristics:
Signals Travel Farther
700 MHz radio frequencies travel farther than higher-frequency signals and require less power for the same range. As a result, 700 MHz networks require fewer antennas and towers to deliver service.
Greater Penetration
700 MHz is a former television frequency and can better penetrate obstacles and foliage regardless of environmental conditions. Additionally, signals are less dependent on line-of-sight, thus providing an ideal spectrum for rural and dispersed applications.
Higher Power Limits
The FCC allows substantially higher power limits for 700 MHz than other unlicensed wireless spectrum. Moreover, the federal government has chosen this bandwidth for first responder communications.
Interference Free Communications
Unlike unlicensed 900 MHz spectrum, which is highly susceptible to interference from other 900 MHz devices, 700 MHz licensed frequency is not prone to interference from other equipment or broadcasts. 700 MHz spectrum also is more resilient to changes in weather conditions and as a managed frequency is unlikely to cause self-interference.
700 MHz covers 1.5x to 2.5x the territory of 900 MHz
- Not as dependent on line-of-sight transmission
- Substantially higher FCC power limits over other broadband wireless spectrum
700 MHz Territory Advantage
- Fewer transmission towers to build and maintain
- Fewer right-of-way to secure
- Fewer back haul runs (fiber / microwave) and associated recurring fees
- Coverage for 30 contiguous states
- Fewer assets in the field to maintain and manage
700 MHz spectrum reduces the number of base stations needed to broadcast the network—producing more cost savings:
- Cellular point-to-multipoint and mesh architectures with a 20+ mile range
- 1,250 square mile coverage per base station enabling cost effective deployments
- Ideally suited for secure end-to-end commercial and industrial communications from the meter to the control center or for residential meters via a concentrator.
Licensed 700 MHz Infrastructure Advantage over Unlicensed 900 MHz
- Lower cost antenna and tower builds
- Lower cost and less vulnerable antenna cable
- Less vulnerability to lightning strikes
- Fewer personnel to deploy and maintain
- Safer field
- Fewer right-of-way approvals—“easement in the air”
- Fewer right-of-way requirements
- Less infrastructure and related costs
These combined advantages allow holders of 700 MHz spectrum to deploy more powerful wireless systems in areas that are hard to reach, and at measurable cost savings.