Most private 5G networks in the United States run on CBRS. This guide explains what CBRS is, how its three levels of access work, what a business needs to use it, and how it compares with Wi-Fi, in plain language.
Definition
CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) is a band of radio spectrum from 3550 to 3700 MHz that the US government shares between the military, licensed users and anyone else who follows the rules. It lets a business run its own private 4G or 5G network without buying spectrum from a mobile carrier.
Key facts
- CBRS spectrum covers 150 MHz in the 3.5 GHz range, under the FCC’s rules in 47 CFR Part 96.
- It has three levels of access: protected government and existing users, licensed priority users, and general users who need no license.
- An automated Spectrum Access System (SAS) decides which channels and power each radio may use, so users share the band without interfering with each other.
- CBRS is a US system. Other countries offer their own ways to get spectrum for private networks.
The three levels of access
| Level | Who | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Incumbent access | US Navy radar, satellite ground stations and some older wireless broadband operators | They always come first. Near the coast, sensors watch for Navy radar, and CBRS users there can be moved to other channels when it’s active. |
| Priority Access License (PAL) | Organizations that bought licenses at the FCC’s auction | Protected 10 MHz channels in the 3550–3650 MHz part of the band. Each license covers one county for ten years. |
| General Authorized Access (GAA) | Anyone using certified equipment | No license to buy. You share whatever spectrum isn’t being used by the levels above, with no protection from other general users. |
Most enterprise private networks run on General Authorized Access. Priority licenses are not required; they mainly matter where many networks compete for spectrum in the same area.
How the Spectrum Access System works
Every CBRS radio must register with a Spectrum Access System before it transmits. The radio reports its location, and the SAS tells it which channels it may use and at what power, based on who else is nearby. If a higher-priority user needs the spectrum, the SAS can move the radio to another channel or lower its power. The radios, in turn, pass those instructions on to connected devices.
SAS services are run by FCC-approved operators. In practice, a private 5G vendor or its partner usually handles the registration as part of setting up the network, so the business doesn’t deal with the SAS directly.
Indoor and outdoor radios
The FCC divides CBRS radios into two categories:
- Category A: lower power, up to 30 dBm per 10 MHz. Used indoors and for low outdoor installations.
- Category B: higher power, up to 47 dBm per 10 MHz. Outdoor only, and must be professionally installed.
For an indoor network in a warehouse, office or campus building, lower-power radios are the usual choice. Larger outdoor sites, such as yards, ports or construction sites, may use higher-power radios for wider coverage.
What you need for a CBRS private network
- Certified CBRS radios, registered with a Spectrum Access System.
- A core network that lets devices join and keeps them connected. Where it runs matters: see what happens when the internet goes down.
- SIM cards or eSIMs for every device, so only your devices can join.
- Compatible devices. Check that phones, scanners, routers or robots support the CBRS bands: band 48 for LTE or n48 for 5G.
CBRS vs Wi-Fi spectrum
Wi-Fi uses unlicensed bands where any device can transmit, and nobody coordinates who uses which channel. General CBRS access is also free of license fees, but every radio is registered and assigned channels and power by the SAS, and only devices with your SIM cards can join your network. That coordination is what makes CBRS more predictable for moving devices, such as robots and scanners, while Wi-Fi remains a good fit for laptops and general office traffic. Compare private 5G and Wi-Fi.
CBRS with EdgeNectar
EdgeNectar’s private 5G networks in the US run on CBRS. Registration with the Spectrum Access System is handled as part of setup, so it isn’t a separate step for the business. The network arrives preconfigured, is set up in one touch by your own IT team or your EdgeNectar partner, and is live in 10 minutes. From then on, it runs as autonomous private 5G: it monitors and fixes itself, and keeps your site’s network running even if the internet goes down.
FAQ
What is CBRS?
CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) is a shared band of spectrum from 3550 to 3700 MHz in the United States. It lets businesses run their own private 4G or 5G networks without buying spectrum from a mobile carrier.
Do I need a license to use CBRS?
No. Under General Authorized Access, anyone can use CBRS with certified equipment registered with a Spectrum Access System. Priority Access Licenses are optional and give protected channels in a specific county.
GAA vs PAL: what is the difference?
General Authorized Access (GAA) is free, shared access to CBRS with no protection from other general users. A Priority Access License (PAL) is a paid license, won at an FCC auction, that gives a protected 10 MHz channel in one county for ten years.
What is a Spectrum Access System (SAS)?
A SAS is an automated system, run by FCC-approved operators, that tells each CBRS radio which channels and power it may use, so that government users, licensed users and general users can share the band.
Can CBRS be used outside the United States?
No. CBRS is a US system under FCC rules. Other countries have their own ways to get spectrum for private networks.
Which devices work with CBRS?
Devices that support LTE band 48 or 5G band n48. Many recent phones, handheld scanners, routers and industrial modules do, but check each model before you buy.
Sources
- 47 CFR Part 96, Citizens Broadband Radio Service (eCFR): frequencies (§ 96.11), Priority Access Licenses (§§ 96.13, 96.25), General Authorized Access (§ 96.35), power limits (§ 96.41) and Category B requirements (§ 96.45).