CBRS Spotlight Report CBRS spectrum helping grow our connected communities and overcome capacity challenges as data demands explode Introduction The importance of seamless connectivity cannot be overstated. As today’s data traffic has spiked and is showing no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, connected communities continue to expand across the globe, strong connectivity according to , global mobile data traffic is on track to increase from is no longer a luxury. It’s an expectation that will quickly become a requirement for 33 exabytes (EB) per month in 2019 to over 160EB each month by 2025, with businesses and consumers alike as we move closer to realizing the promises of a 5G contributing an estimated 45% of all mobile data traffic by 2025. fundamentally connected society in which everything from warehouses to kitchen appliances and even entire cities are connected. While 5G will eventually serve as With more and more stress placed on networks, it’s imperative that mobile the backbone of our connected communities, drive enterprise growth, and enable operators, businesses, municipalities, and other organizations add capacity to exciting and innovative new use cases, major mobile operators are currently faced their networks to keep up with increasing demands for perfect connectivity. A key with significant capacity challenges as data usage explodes and demands for challenge standing in the way of adding capacity, however, is the limited spectrum flawless connectivity continue to grow. holdings of mobile operators and other stakeholders. While capacity can be increased with additional spectrum, spectrum is a finite resource that’s notoriously With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to unprecedented levels of remote learning difficult to come by. and working along with a significant uptick in video streaming, end-user demands for fast and reliable connectivity should only increase going forward. From Zoom business meetings to streaming classrooms to binge-watching movies on Netflix, CBRS spectrum could be the CBRS auction sees key to unlocking capacity and significant diversity of participants for enabling new use cases PAL licenses

An increasingly popular method for adding That said, mid-band spectrum is in short Prior to the CBRS auction, there were Verizon led the way at auction capacity and overcoming the challenges supply. While mid-band spectrum is generally two choices for adding with a total spend of roughly inherent to limited spectrum resources commonly used for mobile networks in spectrum: 1) acquire it at significant $1.9 billion—nearly half the entire is CBRS, or Citizens Broadband Radio the UK and other countries, it’s a different cost during spectrum auctions held by proceeds spent—but the range Service band spectrum. CBRS spectrum is story in the US, where mid-band spectrum the FCC or other regulators, or 2) utilize of companies and industries that available to anyone—not just mobile has historically been reserved for the unlicensed spectrum with zero protection participated in the PAL auction carriers—and CBRS Priority Access Licenses US military, public safety, and emergency of interference from other users and no was incredibly diverse, with not (PALs) of mid-band 3.5 GHz spectrum were response agencies. oversight whatsoever. CBRS spectrum, only mobile operators bidding made available at auction in July of 2020. however, changed that equation, providing but organizations like Chevron, The newfound ability of mobile operators, a new and perhaps revolutionary way Texas A&M University, John Deere, The PAL auction garnered remarkable universities, and others to acquire in which organizations can acquire and and several cable companies interest: 271 bidders participated across mid-band spectrum marked a major share previously unused spectrum at bidding, among others. 76 rounds of bidding, with a staggering milestone on the path toward much lower cost and with more benefits ‒V erizon: $1.9B $4.5 billion spent on PAL licenses and a fully realized 5G experience. than unlicensed spectrum. To learn nearly 23,000 new licenses granted across more about spectrum, read our article ‒ Dish Network: $913M more than 2,300 counties in the US. “Understanding spectrum.” ‒ : $464M Mid-band spectrum is highly sought after ‒ Comcast: $458M by all major US mobile carriers because it will increase their spectrum holdings ‒ Cox Communications: $212M and help provide an optimal blend of ‒T -Mobile: $5.6M comprehensive coverage and speed for ‒ Midcontinent Communications: 5G, offering outstanding mobile service to $8.8M users in rural, suburban, and urban areas, IOT as well as serving as the backbone of our ‒ Chevron: $1M+ 5G connected communities and the IoT. ‒ Deere & Company: $546K ‒T exas A&M University: $39K

Commute CBRS lowers the barrier to entry among non-traditional users for acquiring spectrum in general, especially highly coveted mid-band spectrum, providing an easy, cost-effective way The to add much-needed capacity to help expand our connected communities. CBRS benefits are CBRS can be used for both 4G LTE and 5G, and it can bring connectivity to rural and other here and tangible underserved areas where connectivity has been nonexistent or challenging to implement. : CBRS also offers a highly focused, pinpoint solution that can be leveraged almost anywhere. Cost-effective far cheaper than And not only can CBRS be implemented within a specific zip code or city, it can also be used FCC-regulated spectrum benefits within specific schools, businesses, or other highly targeted areas where connectivity is needed. Flexible: can be tailored CBRS will also have tremendous benefits on industrial applications and use cases that require for specific use cases reliable, consistent connectivity. CBRS has already helped private networks either with highly customizable of CBRS bring new connectivity or augment existing connectivity for a number of uses cases, including security solutions schools, 5G smart warehousers for the US military, industrial IoT manufacturing operations, and more. The “Goldilocks” of mid-band spectrum: Lives in the mid-band frequency band (3.5 GHz), offering the upside of both low-band and mmWave spectrum without the downside Low-band <1 GHz Mid-Band 1-6 GHz High-Band (mmWave) Expanded rural Travels far and penetrates Known as the “sweet spot” Incredibly fast speeds and connectivity: brings deep indoors. Can reach for 5G connectivity. Faster hotspots of 5G connectivity. connectivity to rural and rural communities. Works than low-band. Works with Faster than other bands. other underserved areas with 5G and 4G LTE. Biggest 5G and 4G LTE. Biggest Works with 5G only. Biggest disadvantage: slowest speeds disadvantage: limited disadvantage: travels a very Powers industrial IoT of all spectrum types. resource for mobile carriers. short distance. (IIoT) solutions: enables seamless connectivity and consistent reliability Perhaps the most important benefit of CBRS is that it’s spectrum in the mid-band frequency for smart factories and range (3.5 GHz), which is widely considered the most desirable type of spectrum because it other IIoT applications where consistent, 24/7 offers the pros of both low-band and millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum without the cons. reliability and low Specifically, mid-band spectrum can provide broad geographic coverage plus fast speeds—not latency is required just one or the other, which is the case with low-band (broad coverage but LTE-level speeds) and mmWave spectrum (fast speeds but small geographic coverage areas). While mobile operators and cable companies contributed a significant portion of the overall proceeds at the PAL auction, the impact and benefits of CBRS spectrum for industrial organizations and applications could ultimately prove RootMetrics testing shows CBRS growth groundbreaking. Deere & Company, for example, was one of a number of “non-traditional” bidders at auction and plans to utilize its five PAL licenses of 70% for Verizon in major US cities for its connected smart factory and industrial IoT (IIoT) strategies. Deere & Verizon significantly increased its usage of CBRS spectrum throughout Company acquired PAL licenses in five counties where the company has some 2020. RootMetrics tested 125 cities in the second half of 2020, and among of its largest and most high-tech facilities, and John Deere believes its new those cities, CBRS spectrum was observed for Verizon in 70 metros, mid-band CBRS spectrum holdings can add flexibility to factory floors, provide marking an increase of 70% over the 41 cities in which Verizon used CBRS additional support for IIoT applications, and enhance its data security. in 1H 2020. Our testing has not observed CBRS on the networks of either AT&T or T-Mobile to date. With more mid-band spectrum available for businesses, industrial operations, institutions, and consumers, the release of CBRS spectrum in the US could mark Verizon CBRS growth in the US a fundamental change across the connectivity landscape as we move closer to a society in which 5G powers our connected communities.

CBRS is helping drive new business opportunities while fueling the development of the next phase of our connected communities, from smart warehouses to connected assembly lines to smart homes and much more.

5G

IOT

1H 2020 2H 2020

Factory/Office Primary CBRS use cases No Limits Broadband: an Wireless capacity in urban markets powered by antennas installed at the service location example of CBRS bringing CBRS spectrum will play an important role in the such as a home or office, and CBRS is well suited to broadband to rural areas mobile network marketplace, boosting capacity for support FWA deployments in rural areas. both 4G LTE and 5G networks in highly populated Adding high-speed connectivity to rural areas is of the A key benefit of CBRS is that it can bring areas. When it comes to 5G, densely populated areas utmost importance, particularly as more and more high-speed acess to consumers and in the US typically rely on either mmWave spectrum, people are working and learning from home. Indeed, businesses in rural areas, and an organization which is fast but covers only small geographic areas, providing people in rural areas with internet access called No Limits Broadband is doing just that or low-band spectrum, which covers large areas but has gained attention at the highest levels, with the in rural Pennsylvania. Using CBRS, the company with speeds similar to those on LTE. The mid-band FCC recently holding its Rural Digital Opportunity is supplying internet access to homes and spectrum of CBRS, on the other hand, brings together Fund auction to expand broadband to over 10 million businesses in areas where internet is otherwise the best of both low-band and mmWave, enabling rural Americans. unavailable from cable providers or mobile businesses, industrial applications, and consumers to carriers. Prior to CBRS, No Limits Broadband take advantage of faster 5G or 4G LTE speeds across The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction is part had been using Line of Site (LOS) and Wi-Fi wider geographic areas. of a broader effort by the FCC to close the digital technologies. CBRS is providing a better solution divide in rural America, with the FCC establishing its with interference-free Non-Line of Site (NLOS) 5G Fund for Rural America, which will distribute Fixed wireless broadband for rural markets fixed wireless, giving No Limits Broadband the up to $9 billion over the next decade to bring 5G ability reach more customers than ever before CBRS 3.5 GHz spectrum will increase the ability for broadband connectivity to underserved areas in rural and provide them with dependable, high-speed people living and working in rural areas to have America and ensure our connected communities are internet access in the process. access to reliable, high-speed internet. Fixed wireless a fundamental part of daily life for everyone—and not access (FWA) uses cellular technology instead of fiber just those living in major cities. to provide high-speed broadband internet access Primary CBRS use cases (continued)

Private wireless networks Commercial enterprises, universities, and others in the public sector are expected to benefit from CBRS spectrum to provide private wireless networks for business and industrial operations, which will be crucial in cases where Wi-Fi or existing cellular networks have proven unreliable and/or ineffective. Wireless internet service providers (WISPs) and cable companies can also take advantage of private wireless networks enabled by 3.5 GHz spectrum to gain more subscribers in areas where service had been unavailable. CBRS is a particularly viable solution for private wireless networks when: ‒V ast physical areas have complex ‒R emote sites lack network connectivity needs infrastructure ‒ Applications or locations require ‒ Separate networks are required absolute data security ‒ Budget limitations exist ‒ Mission critical applications must function properly at all times Moreover, CBRS provides the additional connectivity and reliability needed for Industrial IoT, smart factories, and other applications that depend on increased capacity and coverage.

“ The benefits of CBRS shared spectrum deployment and the large gains the entire industry made in the second half of 2020 are undeniable. Shared spectrum is a critical enabler of 5G IOT service growth and 2021 will be a complete game-changer for carriers, WISPs, private wireless providers, and both business and consumer users of new high-speed service offerings. ” 5G - Kurt Schaubach, CTO, Federated Wireless

Home Who can Example use cases CBRS user licenses are structured under a three-tiered use CBRS system. CBRS can be used by any and all of the three tiers, for private wireless but it’s not a free-for-all or a first-come, first-served system. networks include: spectrum? Different tiers have different access privileges. ‒ Support for remote learning and working Incumbent access licensees include authorized federal users, fixed satellite service earth stations, ‒ Retail stores and grandfathered wireless broadband licensees. The grandfathered wireless broadband group ‒ Smart warehouses for Tier 1 will have a finite term limit on Tier 1 and then will be moved to Tier 3. Incumbents manufacturing Incumbent access users are protected against interference from both Tier 2 and Tier 3 users. ‒ Healthcare solutions ‒ Myriad industrial applications PAL users have the right to utilize up to 70 MHz of the total 150 MHz of CBRS spectrum in a given area when not in use by incumbent users. Each PAL is renewable every 10 years and consists of a 10 MHz ‒ Transportation hubs channel within the 3.5 GHz band. Licensees are subject to a four-PAL channel aggregation cap and ‒ Stadiums must meet stringent performance requirements by the end of the initial license term. PAL licensees must protect and accept interference from Tier 1 users, but they are protected against Tier 2 interference from Tier 3 users. It’s important to note that PALs have unique characteristics which set Priority Access them apart from other tiers: Licenses (PALs) ‒ PALs are not issued for specific channel blocks: Rather, they are assigned dynamically by CBRS spectrum asset system (SAS) providers to accommodate other users and protect incumbents. ‒ Use it or share it rules: Tier 3 General Authorized Access (GAA) users can operate within an unused spectrum channel block owned by a PAL. Therefore, PAL users are encouraged to use the channel blocks they own, or they may have to give them up to a Tier 3 user.

If neither incumbents nor PALs are using CBRS resources, GAA users can take advantage of that unused spectrum, and a minimum of 80 MHz of CBRS spectrum is set aside for their use. GAA offers open, flexible access to the 3.5 GHz band for the widest possible group of potential users. This spectrum is Tier 3 essentially free, subject to only a small monthly service fee for shared spectrum management. General Authorized Access GAA users must not cause interference to Tier 1 or Tier 2 users. Like PALs, GAA spectrum is issued in 10 MHz channel blocks and is available for use as long as there is no other GAA user at a specific location. Managing CBRS spectrum: Spectrum Access Systems (SAS) Licensed Assisted Access CBRS access and operations are managed by a network of To date, the tiers and SAS are functioning just as intended. Spectrum Access Systems (SAS), which include organizations As of January 2021, there have been no reported instances (LAA) vs. CBRS spectrum: such as Federated Wireless, , Sony, and others. of interference since the FCC opened 3.5 GHz spectrum for CBRS provides far Each SAS will manage operations between users across the commercial use. This is particularly good news because the three tiers of authorization. The FCC requires that an SAS United States Navy, an incumbent Tier 1 user, utilizes CBRS broader coverage administrator coordinate and manage operations of the three for radar operations, and any interference with US Navy usage tiers to prevent interference for higher priority users. could pose a risk to national security. Another option for adding capacity is through the use of Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) spectrum, which is free of charge and is used to supplement Why not just use GAA? existing spectrum for mobile carriers. In short, LAA is 5 GHz unlicensed While PAL users are provided more protection and The upside of a GAA-only approach is clear and abundant, mid-band spectrum intended to boost prioritization than GAA users, not all users need those but the downside is also potentially significant: GAA users are download capacity and speeds primarily protections or prioritizations, and since anyone can become a given zero protection of interference by users in other tiers in congested indoor locations such as GAA CBRS spectrum user for only a nominal fee, an interesting (incumbents or PALs), which could pose issues for GAA users shopping centers and event venues, question becomes: why bid on a PAL if you can become a GAA depending on how they use the spectrum. among others. user for a fraction of the cost? That said, GAA could be a perfect solution for organizations While LAA can provide additional capacity According to former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, thousands of GAA that want mid-band spectrum for a variety of use cases for for networks, CBRS spectrum can cover a deployments have been implemented successfully, with use only relatively small fees. It will certainly be interesting to see much wider geographical area. cases ranging from transforming the communications system how all three tiers of users coexist in the coming months and In fact, our results showed that at Dallas Love Field to the addition of FWA systems in rural years, and it’s encouraging that all three tiers have been free CBRS provided a coverage footprint America. Moreover, given the “use it share it” rule under which from interference and are using this newfound spectrum for over five times as large as that of LAA, PAL users must operate, GAA users can actually take a PALs a variety of use cases. on average. spectrum for free if that PAL user doesn’t utilize the spectrum it acquired at auction. The bottom line is that while LAA is free and can augment existing Verizon has been using GAA spectrum well before the CBRS spectrum holdings in certain auction took place in July. In the first half of 2020 before we locations, its footprint is limited paused our testing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our results compared to CBRS, and the unlicensed showed Verizon using the GAA portion of the 3.5 GHz band in nature of LAA means that users aren’t 8 of the 55 markets we tested. After Memorial Day, however, afforded the same oversight and we found Verizon using GAA in 33 out of 70 cities we tested. protections from interference that CBRS spectrum comes with. Measuring the real-world impact of CBRS in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

CBRS is clearly a viable and cost-effective option for adding much-needed Our tests showed that Verizon began using CBRS in Philadelphia in the first spectrum and capacity to networks for a wide range of users, from mobile half of 2020, albeit on a very small scale, with the carrier using CBRS spectrum carriers to industrial applications to universities and more. RootMetrics tested during just 0.03% of its download tests. In the second half of 2020, on the other how mobile operators are making use of CBRS spectrum in Philadelphia, PA, in hand, CBRS contributed to over 3% of Verizon’s download tests. While 3% may the second half of 2020 to evaluate how CBRS usage has grown and how CBRS appear insignificant at an absolute level, the carrier’s jump in CBRS usage from spectrum has provided additional in the city. Note that neither AT&T 0.03% to 3.24% marked a massive increase. nor T-Mobile utilized CBRS in Philadelphia at the time of our testing, so our results focus on Verizon. CBRS usage during download tests - Philadelphia CBRS shows significant growth in Philadelphia 2H 2019 1H 2020 2H 2020 in 2H 2020 compared to 1H 2020 We measured CBRS usage in Philadelphia in the first and second halves of 2020, and the utilization of CBRS showed substantial growth in the second half of the Without CBRS year. The maps below show the geographical distribution of CBRS test samples With CBRS collected across the city during our testing (CBRS samples are in blue). While 100% 99.7% 96.76% CBRS was essentially nonexistent in the city in 1H 2020, the second half of the year was a different story, with significantly more CBRS observed, and not just in small pockets of Philadelphia. The growth in CBRS usage we saw from Verizon in Philadelphia could 1H 2020 2H 2020 serve as a harbinger for more and more CBRS usage to follow in other areas going forward, and not only for mobile carriers; we expect to see Without CBRS CBRS implementations rise for private wireless networks, expanded rural With CBRS connectivity, and especially for industrial use cases, such as smart factories, connected warehouses, and other IIoT applications. Verizon using CBRS to deliver enhanced bandwidth and performance

Verizon has invested in mmWave spectrum to provide consumers and businesses with ultra-fast 5G speeds and added capacity in areas of high demand. The carrier is also now using CBRS devices DSS to provide low-band 5G coverage. By using CBRS, Verizon is also able to take advantage of key mid-band spectrum, are here and delivering enhanced capacity and performance for users. growing rapidly Verizon’s utilization of CBRS added considerable bandwidth ‒ Over 50 LTE/5G CBRS for the carrier in Philadelphia. Prior to its addition of CBRS wireless handsets on the spectrum, Verizon held 45 MHz of licensed spectrum for its LTE market and growing service, compared to 60 MHz for AT&T and 40 MHz for T-Mobile. However, the bandwidth playing field changed significantly with ‒ New CBRS tablets and Verizon’s additional CBRS spectrum usage in 2H 2020. laptops continue going to market Indeed, with Verizon using far more CBRS in 2H 2020, our testing showed that the carrier was able to increase its ‒ More and more CBRS bandwidth from 45 MHz to up to 95 MHz for its LTE service in routers and gateways the city. available It’s important to note that the total amount of CBRS spectrum ‒ Growth of CBRS customer available in Philadelphia and other cities for PAL and GAA premises equipment users is 150 MHz, which is managed by an SAS and must be (CPEs) shared among all users in the area. Of the available 150 MHz in ‒ Growth of CBRS modules Philadelphia, 70 MHz is reserved for PAL users, while the other 80 MHz is reserved for GAA users. With Verizon increasing its ‒ More... spectrum via CBRS in Philadelphia, the carrier is utilizing well over half of the total CBRS spectrum allotted in the city. CBRS contributes to OnGo certified devices also seeing impressive growth Verizon’s fast speeds

Formerly known as the CBRS Alliance, Verizon’s usage of far more CBRS When looking at Verizon’s overall speeds Non-CBRS vs. 692.1 the OnGo Alliance is comprised of more spectrum in 2H 2020 than in 1H 2020 led (those using CBRS plus all other types than 180 member companies, including CBRS (Mbps) to faster speeds in general for the carrier. of spectrum), our testing showed that 2H 2020 major mobile carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, and Perhaps even more importantly, the Verizon’s CBRS use helped the carrier Verizon, as well as organizations such speeds we recorded for Verizon entirely deliver a faster median download speed as Dish Network, Ericsson, Google, , on its mid-band 3.5 GHz CBRS spectrum in 2H 2020 than it did in the first half 404.9 Motorola, and , among others. were incredibly fast and much faster than of the year. Verizon’s overall median While current CBRS deployments utilize its non-CBRS speeds. download speed across all spectrum types and all network technologies (4G 3.5 GHz mid-band spectrum, OnGo In fact, Verizon’s LTE, and where available, 135.1 plans to widen the scope of spectrum median download 5G) increased from 60.9 sharing beyond the 3.5 GHz band and speed on CBRS of 64.2 Mbps in 1H 2020 to 65.6 outside of the US. In fact, the OnGo 135.1 Mbps in 2H 2020 Mbps in 2H 2020. Alliance intends to expand its services was over twice as to 3GPP technologies operating in shared Verizon median Verizon maximum fast as its non-CBRS The incremental download speed download speed spectrum bands across the world. median download improvement directly Non- CBRS CBRS The alliance also developed its speed of 64.2 Mbps caused by Verizon’s use “OnGo Certification Program” to in the same test of CBRS on its overall help assure a smooth integration of its period. Likewise, speed gain of roughly solutions for customers, and the number Verizon’s maximum 5 Mbps was 1.4 Mbps. of OnGo Certified Devices is at 50 and download speed on While 1.4 Mbps might Verizon overall median counting, while the FCC has already CBRS of 692.1 Mbps seem insignificant, it’s download speed (Mbps) authorized 117 Citizens Broadband Radio was nearly 300 Mbps important to remember - All spectrum Service Devices (CBSD) along with 180 faster than its max that Verizon only used end-user devices, including , speed of 404.9 Mbps CBRS during roughly 3% 60.9 65.6 routers, CPEs, and more. without CBRS. of its download tests, so any improvement is Those results demonstrate just how fast The bottom line is that the CBRS device noteworthy, and if Verizon increases its the mid-band spectrum of CBRS can ecosystem—and the CBRS landscape use of CBRS over time, its speeds should be, and even though Verizon’s CBRS in general—is growing incredibly fast as show larger increases going forward. 1H 2020 2H 2020 CBRS continues to grain traction with usage was minimal relative to its overall organizations across the country. spectrum usage, CBRS did make an impact on the carrier’s overall speeds in Note: the speed results within this report reflect physical-layer results, the city. rather than application-level speeds. Verizon and CBRS results Reliability and spectral efficiency in a nutshell remain strong on CBRS Even though Verizon was using a relatively small amount of CBRS spectrum in Philadelphia in 2H 2020, Not only did CBRS help Verizon provide impressive and Spectrum efficiency is a measure of speeds delivered for each the effect of that spectrum had a improved speeds, the carrier’s download reliability results physical resource block (PRB) of that spectrum, and as the positive impact across a host of key on CBRS spectrum remained outstanding. As a matter of chart below shows, Verizon’s CBRS delivered 0.38 Mbps/PRB, performance indicators, from speeds fact, Verizon’s download reliability success rates were nearly which was similar to what we recorded for AT&T and T-Mobile. to bandwidth to spectral efficiency. 100% on CBRS, matching what we found when not on CBRS The bottom line is that CBRS provided Verizon with good in Philadelphia. Verizon is known for delivering top-notch In short, Verizon’s: overall spectral efficiency. As Verizon uses more CBRS in cities reliability and using CBRS spectrum in no way impacted its across the country, we expect to see its efficiency improve ‒ CBRS usage increased by orders of reliability during our testing. over time because mid-band CBRS spectrum will allow magnitude in the second half of 2020, the carrier to implement massive MIMO technology more growing from 0.03% of our download Spectrum efficiency: CBRS provides Verizon with highly frequently, which can improve spectral efficiency. tests in 1H 2020 to 3.24% in 2H 2020. efficient spectrum usage ‒ Bandwidth increased from 45 MHz In terms of spectral efficiency, our testing showed CBRS to be for its LTE service to up to 95 MHz nearly as efficient as other types of licensed spectrum used by with CBRS. both AT&T and T-Mobile. ‒ Median download speed on CBRS of CBRS sectral efficiency 135.1 Mbps was nearly twice as fast as its non-CBRS speed. T-Mobile Verizon AT&T Verizon - CBRS 0.4957 0.5 ‒ Maximum download speed on CBRS was nearly 300 Mbps faster than its 0.4 0.3723 0.3647 0.3779 non-CBRS max speed. 0.3 ‒ Download reliability remained near- 0.2 perfect with CBRS.

0.1 ‒ Spectral efficiency with CBRS was Speed (Mbps)/PRB strong and effectively identical to 0.0 that of AT&T and T-Mobile. 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 Total resource blocks - median

Note: While there are different ways to measure spectral efficiency, looking at Mbps per PRB is common and the method we’re using for this report. Conclusion Looking ahead to CBRS and the path to a fully realized 5G world

With the desirable and powerful process—it will likely take a year or mid-band 3.5 GHz spectrum at two before the results of that auction the center of the growing CBRS show tangible benefits for users. Until movement, the acquisition of CBRS mid-band spectrum becomes more spectrum by mobile networks and widely available, CBRS provides the a host of other organizations could three tiers of users with a key entry mark a watershed moment on point to accessing the benefits of the path toward realizing the true mid-band spectrum that neither potential of 5G and the full growth low-band nor mmWave spectrum of our connected communities can offer: fast speeds plus broad going forward. geographical coverage, rather than just one or the other. On top of that, Historically, mid-band spectrum has adding mid-band spectrum to low- been incredibly difficult to come by in band and/or mmWave deployments the US because it’s generally reserved can augment performance while also for government agencies, and while helping networks most effectively RootMetrics testing of the C-Band auction in December utilize the best combination of 5G 125 most populated 2020 will allow organizations to and LTE resources. markets in the US acquire mid-band spectrum—and is expected to raise billions in the

With CBRS usage growing rapidly, RootMetrics is hard at work testing CBRS performance across the country along with multiple use cases and private CBRS deployments to show how CBRS can help with both coverage and performance. We’ll soon release the second in our series of CBRS Spotlight reports, so keep checking back to learn more about how CBRS is changing the mobile landscape.

For more information, visit http://rootmetrics.com To find out how our testing can help with your organization’s CBRS solution, contact us at [email protected]

For more information, visit http://rootmetrics.com