The acronym "CBRS" stands for Citizens Broadband Radio Service. In terms of pronunciation, the "C" is pronounced as the sound "see" /si/, the "B" is pronounced as the sound "bee" /bi/, the "R" is pronounced as the sound "ar" /ɑr/, and the "S" is pronounced as the sound "ess" /ɛs/. Putting these sounds together gives us the phonetic transcription /ˈsɪt.i.bɑr.ɛs/ for the word CBRS. This spelling is important to know when discussing regulatory policies and technology related to citizen’s access to wireless broadband.
CBRS stands for Citizens Broadband Radio Service. It is a shared spectrum band in the United States that exists in the 3550-3700 MHz frequency range. CBRS was created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a way to optimize the efficient use of the wireless spectrum, increase wireless capacity, and drive innovation in wireless services.
The CBRS band operates on a three-tier spectrum sharing framework. The first tier is incumbent users, which includes Department of Defense radar systems. They have the highest priority and exclusive access to the spectrum. The second tier is called Priority Access Licenses (PALs), which are auctioned to provide priority access to commercial users in specific geographical areas. The third tier, known as General Authorized Access (GAA), is available for unlicensed use by the public.
CBRS enables the deployment of private LTE networks for enterprises and organizations by utilizing small cell technology. By accessing the licensed and unlicensed portions of the spectrum, it allows businesses to enhance their wireless connectivity, improve network performance, and support advanced applications such as industrial IoT, smart cities, and mobile edge computing.
With its innovative sharing mechanism and improved access to wireless spectrum, CBRS has the potential to revolutionize wireless communication and promote the development of new wireless technologies and services. It opens up opportunities for businesses to deploy their own private networks, effectively manage network resources, and enhance their wireless capabilities.