About #3.65GHz
In the telecommunications industry, the 3.65 GHz frequency band has been widely used by Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) to deliver broadband connectivity in rural and suburban areas. This spectrum provides a practical balance between coverage, reliability, and performance, making it an attractive alternative to congested unlicensed frequencies and more expensive fully licensed bands. Compared to higher-frequency options such as 5 GHz, the 3.65 GHz band offers better signal propagation and improved penetration through trees, foliage, and other obstacles, helping WISPs maintain stable connections in challenging environments.
One of the major advantages of the 3.65 GHz band is its reduced interference compared to crowded consumer Wi-Fi frequencies like 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Since it is primarily intended for commercial and enterprise wireless use, WISPs can operate with more consistent performance and improved network stability. In many regions, including the United States, the band has traditionally been managed through lightly licensed or priority-access frameworks, giving providers a level of interference protection without the high costs associated with fully exclusive spectrum licenses.
To deploy 3.65 GHz wireless networks, WISPs typically use Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) base stations, sector antennas, and high-gain parabolic dishes to extend coverage across large areas. Subscriber locations are equipped with dedicated customer-premises equipment (CPE) installed on homes or businesses to receive the wireless signal. Over time, the 3.65 GHz spectrum evolved into the CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) band, which operates between 3.55 GHz and 3.7 GHz. Managed through Spectrum Access Systems (SAS), CBRS enables shared spectrum access with improved reliability, making it an important technology for modern broadband expansion and fixed wireless deployments.