The Department of Defense has issued a request for prototype proposals seeking spectrum-sharing concepts from members of the National Spectrum Consortium to support 5G development and testing activities at military bases in Utah.
NSC said Wednesday the Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Prototype effort covers the design, construction and operation of a testbed to demonstrate a 5G cellular network in airborne radio communications.
Consortium members can also submit ideas for a spectrum coexistence and sharing platform as well as prototype modifications to support deployable spectrum-sharing systems.
The latest solicitation notice follows two initial requests for 5G “smart warehouse” concepts at a U.S. Marine Corps Base and a third RPP for 5G-driven augmented and virtual reality applications at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.
Work under the fourth RPP, also the final 5G testing request that the DoD intends to release, will take place at the Utah Test and Training Range and at the Hill Air Force Base.
Joseph Dyer, chief strategy officer of NSC, encourages consortium members to respond to the department’s RPPs.
“This effort will demonstrate mid-band spectrum sharing critical to our national 5G plan. Sharing technology can bring spectrum to market while protecting and enhancing future military capabilities,” Dyer added.
Responses are due May 15.