The Clock Is Ticking! It’s Time to Get C-Band Ready!
We’ve seen the C-band relocation on the horizon for some years, but now real deadlines affecting programmers are just months away.
In accordance with the FCC 20-22 Report and Order, the plan to free up spectrum in the low-, mid-, and high-frequency bands includes a timeline for transitioning off the lower C-band portion to the upper 200 megahertz. The first of two phases in C-band spectrum clearing is to be completed by Dec. 5, 2021, potentially enabling rollout of 5G in dozens of top U.S. markets by the end of the year.
Between now and then, there is a lot of work to be done in preparation. We’ve gotten a lot of questions about what each of the three deadlines means, and what will happen as 5G is introduced and wireless services providers step into the “cleared” area of the C-band spectrum.
Amid all the challenges of the past year, we also know that C-band users are scrambling to identify and install the ground equipment necessary to get through the relocation successfully — maintaining both their services and programming with little or no disruption.
As the days go by, it may become more difficult to find both the equipment and installers needed to get everything up and running properly. Moving forward with a plan for preparatory work is vital.
To help simplify planning and preparation, we’ve created a short guide with answers to some of the top questions we’ve been hearing.
If you have questions specific to your site and operations, you can always drop us a line. We can help you identify your requirements, put together a rough timeline, and even find local resources to get the job done.