3GPP and CBRS: Understanding the Relationship between Telecommunications Standards and Shared Wireless Frequencies
In today’s fast-paced world, we rely on mobile telecommunications technologies to stay connected. From streaming videos to browsing the internet, these technologies have become an integral part of our daily lives. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) are two critical components that work together to make this possible. In this article, we will discuss the relationship between 3GPP and CBRS, as well as provide details about each.
3GPP, an international organization that creates standards for mobile telecommunications technologies, plays a vital role in the development of 5G and LTE technologies. It is a collaboration of seven telecommunications standards development organizations, including the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB), China Communications Standards Association (CCSA), and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), among others. The organization’s goal is to create a global standard for mobile telecommunications technologies that will be used by all mobile network operators worldwide.
CBRS, on the other hand, is a set of wireless frequencies in the 3.5 GHz band that have been set aside for shared use by various industries and organizations in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated this band as the “innovation band” and created the CBRS Alliance to oversee its use. The CBRS band is designed to allow for the deployment of wireless networks and services in a manner that is compatible with existing users of the 3.5 GHz band, such as military radar systems.
One of the key ways that 3GPP and CBRS work together is through the development of standards for the use of the CBRS band. 3GPP has developed standards for the use of the CBRS band, which includes the LTE in Unlicensed Spectrum (LTE-U) and License Assisted Access (LAA) technologies. These standards enable CBRS to be used for commercial wireless services such as fixed wireless broadband and mobile broadband services.
For example, LTE-U technology allows for the use of unlicensed spectrum, such as the CBRS band, to provide additional capacity to an LTE network. LAA technology, on the other hand, allows for the use of unlicensed spectrum in conjunction with licensed spectrum to provide a more efficient use of spectrum resources. This results in higher speeds and better coverage for end-users.
In conclusion, 3GPP and CBRS play a crucial role in the development and deployment of mobile telecommunications technologies. 3GPP creates standards for these technologies, while CBRS provides a shared wireless frequency band that allows for the deployment of wireless networks and services. Together, they work towards providing a global standard for mobile telecommunications technologies that will be used by all mobile network operators worldwide.
As the world continues to rely more and more on mobile technologies, it is important to understand the relationship between 3GPP and CBRS, as well as their individual roles in the development and deployment of these technologies. With the continued growth of 5G and the ongoing developments in the CBRS band, we can expect to see even more advancements in mobile telecommunications in the near future.
