The OnGo Alliance has offered details on CBRS 2.0, which, according to the alliance, will increase reliability and performance of networks using Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum. A key enhancement is a reduction in the size of the protection zones that have prevented commercial users from using the band when it is in use by the U.S. military, the incumbent user of the band.

The segment of the U.S. population unaffected by disruptions when devices are used outdoors will grow from 78% to 91% of the landmass of the U.S.

CBRS is spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band that was made available for commercial use by the FCC in 2020. The OnGo Alliance is an industry consortium that promotes the development, commercialization and adoption of LTE and 5G in the CBRS band.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Department of Defense and the FCC worked together to approve the changes in how the CBRS band can be used.

CBRS 2.0

CBRS 2.0 includes two major changes in addition to the smaller protection zones:

Longer Heartbeats: An operational change allows CBRS devices away from protection areas to operate for up to 24 hours without reauthorizing with the Spectrum Access System (SAS) that is used to protect the incumbents. This allows extended uninterrupted service in the event of loss of connectivity to the SAS.

GAA Coexistence: A voluntary coexistence mechanism allows the SAS to enforce frequency planning across CBRS devices when cooperating with General Authorized Access (GAA) users in an area that experiences interference. GAA users are essentially unlicensed users whose devices are controlled by the SAS. The goal is to facilitate interference mitigation without overly constraining GAA operations.

CBRS 2.0 will roll out through updated specifications and SAS deployments during the coming months.

“This marks a huge leap forward,” OnGo Alliance Stephen Rayment said in a prepared statement.

“With CBRS 2.0, networks can be deployed with even more confidence, ushering in a new era of widespread connectivity and unleashing a wide array of high-value 4G and 5G services. From mobile and fixed to private wireless networks and beyond, CBRS 2.0 facilitates widespread business-critical services on shared spectrum at an even greater scale.”