FCC WEIGHS RANGE OF SPECTRUM OPTIONS FOR 3G SERVICES

NPRM seeks comment on providing mobile and fixed services in 1755-1850 MHz band now used by military, with caveat that spectrum would have to be freed up for non-govt. users. While recent FCC interim report cited “serious challenges” for spectrum sharing in 2500-2690 MHz occupied by MMDS and Instructional TV Fixed Service licensees, NPRM also seeks comments on “various approaches” for using that band, Commission said in news release Thurs. NPRM marks latest iteration in federal exercise to examine spectrum suitable for 3G services under timelines set in Oct. by Executive Memorandum. Final report on 3G deployment options is due in March.

Actions for spectrum below 3 GHz explored by NPRM include: (1) Proposed allocation of 1710-1755 MHz for mobile and fixed services. That band has been designated for reallocation from federal govt. to nonfederal users under 1993 Omnibus Reconciliation Act and 1997 Balanced Budget Act. (2) Providing mobile and fixed service allocation for 1755-1850 MHz, if that band is made available for nonfederal users. Dept. of Defense systems are now in that band, which is under study by NTIA for possible 3G uses. Among options cited by DoD in interim report last fall (CD Nov 16 p1) would be allowing wireless handsets to transmit in 1710-1755 MHz and base stations to share spectrum with military and transmit in 1805-1855 MHz. Military users in that band include current generation of Air Combat Training Systems. (3) Proposed designation of 2110-2150 MHz and 2160-2165 MHz for advanced mobile and fixed services. That spectrum now is allocated generally for various fixed and mobile services identified for reallocation under FCC’s 1992 Emerging Technologies proceeding. Proposal would designate this spectrum specifically for advanced offerings such as 3G. (4) “Various approaches” for 2500-2690 MHz band. In Nov., FCC’s interim report on 3G wireless deployment cited “serious” challenges to creating band-sharing or segmentation plans for 2500 MHz band. Those technical challenges stem from extent to which incumbent ITFS and MMDS operations vary from one geographic area to another, report said.

FCC also adopted order denying SIA petition, action that MMDS licensees WorldCom and Sprint had urged. Citing growing user demand, SIA had petitioned agency to amend U.S. table of frequency allocations to reallocate 2500-2520 MHz and 2670-2690 MHz for MSS based on decisions made at World Radio Conference in 1992 (CD July 31 p5). Sprint had argued against SIA request, contending that sharing between MSS users and MMDS and ITFS licensees wasn’t technically viable and that replacement spectrum wasn’t available below 3 GHz for moving MMDS and ITFS systems. Proceeding will explore possibility of creating new advanced mobile and fixed services in bands used now by cellular, broadband PCS and specialized mobile radio services, as well as bands occupied by military and MMDS users.

With release of NPRM, Administration is “well on its way” to meeting goals for developing 3G spectrum plan, NTIA Dir. Gregory Rohde said. “Comments on the NPRM will help us determine to what extent existing allocations can be used for advanced wireless services such as 3G; assess whether additional spectrum allocations will be necessary and, if so, how to meet the needs of incumbent users that will be replaced,” Rohde said. Under timelines set by White House, FCC and NTIA are working toward July date for identifying 3G spectrum with ultimate target for auctioning licenses of Sept. 30, 2002. “I deeply hope that we will be able to meet our goal of issuing a final order by July 2001,” Rhode said. “The FCC’s press announcement is pretty much as expected and as the WCA [Wireless Communications Assn.] has advocated -- that all options be subject to further study,” said WCA Pres. Andrew Kreig.