CBRS Opened the Door: Now It’s Time to Level Up with Licensed Spectrum

But shared access comes with shared constraints. And as private networking matures, the next wave isn’t about entry, it’s about elevation. Enterprises are seeking greater control. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are looking to reassert their value. And licensed mid-band spectrum—like Globalstar’s Band 53/n53—is stepping in to answer the call. 

CBRS is a Game-Changer (With Boundaries) 

CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) at 3.5 GHz unlocked massive potential by enabling enterprises to build their own LTE/5G networks without relying on traditional carriers. The three-tiered access model, led by Spectrum Access Systems (SAS), was designed to balance innovation with incumbency, and for many early adopters, it delivered. 

But scaling CBRS networks comes with friction: 

• Requirements to protect the incumbents (DoD) and Priority Access License (PAL) holders 
• Spectrum interference from other General Authorized Access (GAA) users 
• SAS complexity and operational overhead for IT teams 
• No long-term guarantees on performance or availability 
• Technical burden that often outweighs perceived DIY benefits 

In short, CBRS was the great enabler but it was never designed for enterprises that demand deterministic performance and support for mission critical applications. 

Why Some MNOs Are Reconsidering CBRS 

Initially, MNOs embraced CBRS as a low-risk way to stay adjacent to enterprise innovation. The hope: shared-spectrum experimentation would generate new service opportunities and extend operator value deeper into enterprise environments. 

But the reality is more complicated. Many enterprises are now deploying off-network, bypassing the carrier altogether. The result? MNOs are increasingly at risk of being cut out of the private networking equation. 

In response, MNOs are: 

• Pushing managed services over true DIY deployments 
• Embedding lock-ins, such as SIM provisioning and core integration 
• Lobbying for tighter controls on independent CBRS use cases 

The underlying message is clear: control matters. For both operators and enterprises, the appeal of fully licensed spectrum is growing. 

The Spectrum Advantage Battle 

In markets where MNOs lack clear control over shared spectrum, they face a new wave of competition from players using fully licensed mid-band options. These providers offer not just connectivity, but clean, interference-free deployments with clear performance baselines. 

Globalstar’s Band 53/n53 stands out in this space: 

• Fully licensed: Dedicated spectrum, no GAA interference, no guessing 
• SLAs and performance guarantees: mission-critical assurance 
• International reach: for multinational consistency and scale 

With n53, enterprises can deploy high-performing private networks without touching the operator’s macro capacity, and MNOs can still play a central role as value-added partners. 

The Globalstar Advantage: Licensed, Dedicated, and Ready Today 

Globalstar is the exclusive license holder of Band 53/n53, a mid-band spectrum ideally positioned for private wireless use. Purpose-built for high-reliability environments, it delivers the low latency, security, and resilience that industrial and government sectors demand. 

Our approach is flexible: 

• Direct-to-enterprise for full ownership and control 
• Through trusted integrators who understand complex deployments 
• In partnership with MNOs, enabling turnkey private wireless without consuming valuable macro network capacity 

With Band 53/n53, enterprises get the performance they need. MNOs stay in the loop. And integrators can deliver smarter, faster solutions without compromise. 

The New Private Wireless Landscape 

CBRS changed the game, but licensed spectrum is changing the stakes. As demand for control, reliability, and performance escalates, enterprises and MNOs alike are looking for what comes next. 

Licensed mid-band options, such as Band 53/n53, offer the answer: purpose-built spectrum with room to grow, scale, and own. The future of private wireless isn't about returning to old ways; it's about choosing more innovative paths forward. 

Check out how terrestrial wireless is shifting a new private wireless landscape in this recent eBook about the shifting private networking landscape.