There is widespread recognition that mmWave frequencies offer great promise for many wireless applications that will assist in enhancing U.S. infrastructure, expanding broadband services in rural areas, bringing new vertical industries to the communications network, and maintaining U.S. leadership and economic competitiveness.
Matching this recognition is a significant effort among academic, industry and government leaders to develop and test new wireless technologies and services, including efforts by the Federal Communications Commission to embed 5G and beyond deeply in frequencies above 24 GHz.
Despite this recognition and these efforts, frequencies above 95 GHz are seriously under-developed in the U.S. because of a lack of an adequate regulatory framework for their use.
- U.S. allocations go to 275 GHz but service rules end at 95 GHz
- Use of technology above 95 GHz faces burdensome delays before market access is permitted
- ITU rules for protection of passive spectrum are particularly burdensome above 95 GHz
- Worldwide, there is uncertainty regarding service rules in 95-275 GHz
- Other countries are moving faster than the U.S. to create a regulatory framework for frequencies above 95 GHz
- No provisions for terahertz spectroscopy despite products on US market for domestic and foreign firms
95-275 GHz Image Screenshot: National Telecommunications and Information Administration United States Department of Commerce: U.S. Frequency Allocation Chart