Not the OP, but doing something similar. For fixed wireless broadband in rural areas of the US, it's actually not too onerous. The FCC designates certain frequencies as licensed or unlicensed, and the hardware options for running an ISP in the unlicensed bands have increased dramatically in the last 10 years.

The process is basically:

    - The FCC designates certain rules, including power limits, for each band.

    - Hardware manufacturers build to the rules, get their gear FCC-labeled.

    - WISPs (Wireless ISPs) buy name-brand FCC-labeled gear.

    - WISPs maintain CALEA[0] capabilities (so 3-letter agencies can spy on you).

    - File form 477 with the FCC [1].

...and that's about all it takes from a regulatory standpoint. There are of course numerous other obstacles which must be overcome in the process, but red tape currently isn't the biggest one for our industry.

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_Assistance_for_...

[1]: https://www.fcc.gov/general/form-477-resources-filers