March 5, 2026
AGU, NWA, AMA, and UCAR Joint Comment on Upper Microwave Spectrum Use
Posted by Caitlin Bergstrom
On 20 January 2026, AGU submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on upper microwave spectrum use.
The National Weather Association (NWA), American Meteorological Society (AMS), American Geophysical Union (AGU) and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) appreciate the opportunity to provide comments on this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking to facilitate more intensive use of upper microwave spectrum, specifically upper microwave spectrum bands above 24 GHz that are shared between the terrestrial Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (UMFUS) and Fixed Satellite Service (FSS). The UMFUS framework includes an array of spectrum above 24 GHz, but this comment will specifically address UMFUS spectrum in the 37.7-38.6 GHz (upper 37 GHz band), and the 50.4-51.4 GHz (50 GHz band) and the proposed changes to Section 25.136 rules, such as the implementation of alternate licensing procedures like “light licensing.”
