US mobile giant Verizon Wireless has applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a Special Temporary Authority (STA) which will allow it to stage TD-LTE trials using the 3.5GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band. The application – discovered by Light Reading – covers the period between 8 August 2019 and 31 January 2020. If approved, the trial will take place in Methuen, Massachusetts and utilise 3650MHz-3700MHz frequencies.
TeleGeography notes that the 3.5GHz CBRS band comprises spectrum in the 3550MHz-3700MHz range and has been earmarked for future 5G use. However, FCC officials have indicated that an auction is unlikely to take place before Q2 2020 at the earliest.