I’m thrilled to sit down with Vladislav Zaimov, a seasoned telecommunications specialist with deep expertise in enterprise telecommunications and risk management of vulnerable networks. With a career spanning the rapid evolution of wireless technologies, Vladislav has been at the forefront of innovations in 5G and emerging 6G systems, particularly in areas like spectrum sharing and Citizen Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). Today, we’ll dive into the transformative potential of CBRS for 5G services, the explosive growth of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and the cutting-edge advancements in spectrum management that are shaping the future of connectivity. Let’s explore how these technologies are overcoming challenges and unlocking new opportunities for service providers and users alike.
Can you walk us through what makes the CBRS-GAA 80 MHz spectrum such a game-changer for 5G services?
Absolutely, Lisa. The CBRS-GAA 80 MHz spectrum, sitting in the mid-band range, strikes a unique balance between coverage and capacity, which is critical for 5G. Unlike higher frequency bands that offer massive bandwidth but struggle with range, or lower bands that cover wide areas but lack speed, this spectrum provides both decent propagation and substantial data throughput. What makes it even more valuable is its availability—it’s widely accessible across regions like North America, Europe, and Japan, and it’s been extensively tested for shared use. Globally, it’s seen as a goldmine because it’s a shared resource that doesn’t require exclusive licensing for General Authorized Access users, lowering the entry barrier for new players while still supporting high-performance 5G applications.
What are some of the biggest hurdles service providers face when working with the CBRS spectrum?
One of the primary challenges is the tiered spectrum-sharing framework. CBRS operates on a three-tier system—incumbent users, Priority Access License holders, and General Authorized Access users—which means GAA users, often smaller providers, can be bumped off if a higher-tier user needs the spectrum. This unpredictability complicates network planning. Another issue is the regulated transmission power levels, which are kept low to minimize interference with incumbents like military radar. While this protects critical operations, it limits coverage, especially for uplink signals, forcing providers to deploy denser, more expensive networks to ensure reliable service, particularly indoors or at cell edges.
There’s been a lot of buzz about the growth of 5G Fixed Wireless Access. Can you shed some light on what’s fueling this trend?
Certainly. The 5G FWA market is exploding, with projections showing a 30% annual growth rate through 2032, and it’s not hard to see why. FWA offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional wired broadband, especially in underserved or rural areas where laying fiber is impractical. The flexibility of deployment models is a huge driver—providers can mix different cell types, like small cells and macro cells, all tied to a common 5G baseband, which optimizes coverage and capacity. Plus, the demand for high-speed internet continues to soar with remote work, streaming, and smart homes, and 5G FWA can deliver gigabit speeds without the infrastructure headaches of wired solutions. It’s a win-win for both providers and consumers.
How does the Spectrum Access System play a role in managing the complexities of CBRS spectrum sharing?
The Spectrum Access System, or SAS, is essentially the traffic cop for CBRS. It dynamically manages spectrum allocation to ensure fair access while protecting higher-priority users. For Priority Access License holders and incumbents, SAS maintains low interference by defining exclusion zones and adjusting allocations in real time. For GAA users, it assigns spectrum in 10 MHz chunks, but only when it’s not needed by higher tiers. When an incumbent, like a federal radar, becomes active, SAS can deactivate GAA and even PAL transmissions in specific areas to prevent conflicts. It’s a sophisticated system, but it’s not without flaws—sometimes the process isn’t fast enough, which can disrupt service for lower-tier users.
The article mentions older spectrum-sharing methods like Licensed Shared Access and Dynamic Spectrum Access. Why are these falling out of favor?
Those older methods, introduced around 3GPP Release 14, were groundbreaking at the time but have serious limitations in today’s 5G landscape. Licensed Shared Access and Dynamic Spectrum Access are slow and rigid— they often require manual coordination or pre-defined sharing agreements, which can’t keep up with the real-time demands of modern networks. They also struggle with interference management in dense, dynamic environments. Newer approaches in 3GPP Releases 18 and 19 are far more agile, leveraging real-time sensing and automated adjustments to spectrum allocation, which allows networks to adapt instantly to changing conditions without sacrificing efficiency or risking conflicts with incumbent users.
Can you explain the new spectrum-sharing model proposed in 3GPP Release 19 and its potential impact on CBRS?
Sure, Lisa. The model in Release 19, tied to the Feasibility Study on Integrated Sensing and Communication, is a leap forward. It introduces real-time dynamic spectrum variation, meaning networks can adjust frequency usage on the fly based on immediate needs and conditions. It also incorporates continuous sensing signaling, where user equipment and base stations constantly monitor for interference or incumbent activity, like radar signals, and report data back to the network. This allows the system to reallocate spectrum or tweak cell parameters instantly to avoid conflicts, all without heavy reliance on external systems like SAS. For CBRS, this could mean more reliable access for GAA users and better spectrum efficiency overall, paving the way for denser, more robust 5G and early 6G deployments.
Looking ahead, what’s your forecast for the role of CBRS in the evolution of 5G and 6G networks?
I’m very optimistic about CBRS. With the FCC’s plans to potentially expand the band by another 100 MHz, it’s clear this spectrum will remain a cornerstone for both 5G and emerging 6G ecosystems. Its shared nature makes it a proving ground for advanced spectrum management techniques, like AI-driven allocation and real-time interference mitigation, which will be critical for 6G’s ambitious goals of ultra-dense networks and integrated sensing. I believe CBRS will not only support the massive growth of FWA but also enable innovative use cases—like smart cities and industrial IoT—by providing a flexible, accessible spectrum resource. The next decade will likely see CBRS evolve from a niche solution to a mainstream enabler of next-gen connectivity.
