DoD Preparing Spectrum-Sharing Demo

The Pentagon is preparing a large-scale demonstration of dynamic spectrum-sharing technology this November, to explore how the military and commercial sectors can jointly use the lower 3 GHz band without compromising national security. This effort, led by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) FutureG office and the Office of the Chief Information Officer, follows a December 2024 solicitation seeking industry proposals, notes DefenseScoop.

The lower 3 GHz band is critical for both defense systems and commercial 5G, making spectrum sharing a contentious issue. The demonstration comes following years of back and forth between the Defense Department and the telecommunications industry over access to the 3.1-3.45 GHz S-band used by the Pentagon to operate different radars, weapons and other electronic systems. The telecom industry wants part of that spectrum to meet rising demand for commercial and civil 5G wireless technology, Inside Towers reported.