Media Contact: 
Bruce Romano, (202) 418-2124
bruce.romano@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC PROPOSES TO OPEN ‘SPECTRUM HORIZONS’ ABOVE 95 GHz  
FOR NEW SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGIES 
  --
WASHINGTON, February 22, 2018—The Federal Communications Commission initiated a 
proceeding to expand access to spectrum above 95 GHz.  This spectrum has long been 
considered the outermost horizon of the usable spectrum range.  Currently, the Commission 
has no rules to permit licensed or unlicensed communications use above 95 GHz, other than by 
amateur operators or on an experimental basis. New developments in radio technology hold the 
promise for productive use of these frequency bands.  
To enable innovators and entrepreneurs to most readily access this spectrum, the Spectrum 
Horizons NPRM identifies specific frequency bands that could accommodate licensed, 
unlicensed and experimental use.  By supporting multiple types of authorizations, the 
Commission will be better able to accommodate the diverse types of services and applications 
that may be developed for these bands.  
Specifically, the item seeks comment on making a total of 102.2 gigahertz of spectrum 
available for licensed point-to-point services.  These bands would be licensed on a nationwide, 
non-exclusive basis and individual point-to-point links would be registered with a database 
manager.  Because of the vast amount of spectrum potentially available, the point-to-point 
links hold the capability to transmit at much higher data rates than systems in lower frequency 
bands.
The item also seeks comment on making a total of 15.2 gigahertz of spectrum available for use 
by unlicensed devices.  The high atmospheric absorption of radio waves in these bands will 
limit the potential for interference and permit large numbers of unlicensed devices to share the 
spectrum.
  
Lastly, the item seeks comment on creating a new category of experimental licenses available 
in spectrum between 95 gigahertz and 3 terahertz.  These licenses will give innovators more 
flexibility, compared to the existing experimental licensing rules, by including a longer license 
term and license transferability to encourage investment and allowing the sale of equipment 
during market trials.
Action by the Commission February 22, 2018 by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 18-
17). Chairman Pai, Commissioners Clyburn, O’Rielly, Carr and Rosenworcel approving and 
issuing separate statements.
ET Docket No. 18-21; RM-11713; WT Docket No. 15-245; RM-11795
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).