How Citizens Broadband Radio Service, or CBRS, Brings More People Together

Citizens Broadband Radio Service, or CBRS, is a band of radio-frequency spectrum from 3.5GHz to 3.7GHz that has been allocated by the FCC to be shared for use across three tiers of user groups. It will enable mobile network operators to reach areas where utilizing fiber or other forms of connectivity have not been possible while providing high data rates, low latency and better QoS (Quality of Service). This new spectrum also helps to solve existing limitations with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi like indoor and large outdoor coverage, traffic prioritization functionality, and predictable latency as well as provide more control and security for IT managers.

Ashish Bhatia, Senior Technical Sales Engineer at Samsung, discusses how the spectrum has been allocated by the FCC. “It breaks down like this – using a three-tiered spectrum sharing model, users are broken down into tiers based on priority that go from tier one, where the incumbent users reside, to tier two, commercial users with priority access licenses, and tier three, where general, authorized users live,” Bhatia said. “This type of categorization and shared access helps enable efficient use of finite spectrum resources.”

For enterprise solutions, CBRS offers a more simplified installation requiring only a few small cells compared to using clusters of Wi-Fi access points, and with better indoor coverage and a high QoS , it should be something customers in those areas, whether commercial or residential, will benefit from. “The CBRS spectrum can be used for home broadband in rural or underserved areas where fiber or other forms of connectivity aren’t possible,” Bhatia said. “For enterprises, with the use of small-cell infrastructure supporting the CBRS bands, they can have direct control over their network coverage with high quality of service and little to no licensing fees, because the spectrum is shared.”

We’re in the middle of the fourth industrial revolution, and we have the tools to keep pace. With CBRS, homes and businesses, even in underserved rural areas, are going to be more interconnected than ever before. It all works together to provide an exciting opportunity for MNOs and their customers.

Tyler Kern - Host
Ashish Bhatia - Sr. Technical Sales Engineer at Samsung Electronics America