An Analysis of Aggregate CBRS SAS Data from April 2021 to July 2024

By Douglas M. Boulware, Anthony W. Romaniello

This report presents an analysis of aggregate Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) Spectrum Access System (SAS) data reported quarterly from April 1, 2021, to July 1, 2024. The data provide insights into the growth of CBRS, the impact of dynamic spectrum sharing, the role of General Authorized Access (GAA) usage, and CBRS’s role in rural and urban wireless connectivity. From April 1, 2021, to July 1, 2024, the number of active CBRS Devices (CBSDs) nationwide increased by 270,621 to 400,403. Over the same period, more CBSDs were deployed within Dynamic Protection Area (DPA)–impacted counties than non-impacted counties, increasing the number of active CBSDs in DPA-impacted counties to 198,864. The number of CBSDs with Priority Access License (PAL) grants grew to 114,682, but GAA CBSDs dominated deployments. On July 1, 2024, 71.4% of active CBSDs were GAA-only, 82.3% of active grants were GAA, 82.2% of CBSDs with a PAL also had at least one active GAA grant, and 67.5% of all active CBSDs were deployed in rural census blocks.