Citizens Broadband Radio Service is wireless spectrum in the 3.5GHz band that is used for building private LTE networks and for extending public 4G and 5G services. CBRS enables organisations to build their own private 4G/5G networks.
CBRS is a band of radio-frequency spectrum that ranges from 3.5GHz to 3.7GHz that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated among three tiers of users: incumbent users, priority licensees and general authorised access which is lightly licensed than others.
CBRS can be used to extend coverage and capacity of 4G LTE and 5G networks. Moreover CBRS can be used by building-management companies that need to communicate wirelessly with on-site devices.
Organisations could use the CBRS spectrum to set up their own 4G and 5G networks through which they could connect their IoT devices including factory robots. The CBRS service will work for both outdoors as well as indoors.
Use Case of CBRS Spectrum
The main uses for CBRS spectrum are:
1. Macro Extension
Macro extension provides additional wireless capacity for carriers’ macro networks, especially in urban areas.
2. Privately-owned And Operated Mobile Networks
Privately owned and operated mobile networks are for enterprises and municipalities.
3. Fixed Wireless Access
Fixed wireless access is used for backhaul.