FCC SAID TO BE MULLING FURTHER NOTICE ON ALTERNATIVE 3G BANDS
FCC is widely expected to issue Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to examine more closely spectrum beyond main MMDS and Instructional TV Fixed Service (ITFS) bands as part of 3rd generation wireless decision-making, several sources said. Among spectrum blocks likely to be rolled into further notice would be mobile satellite services (MSS) issues teed up at Commission in CTIA petition for rulemaking last month asking for reallocation to “more efficient uses” of “underutilized” MSS spectrum at 2 GHz (CD May 21 p5). One source said further notice could come as soon as next month. From outset of 3G decision-making process, FCC has said it would consider broader array of spectrum than just that at 2.5 GHz used by MMDS and ITFS operators, but controversy over incumbents that would be moved from those bands has received most attention in recent months. Meanwhile, Dept. of Defense continued to take hard line against reallocating military spectrum at 1.7 GHz to commercial uses.
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Aside from MSS spectrum, several sources said all of bands that would be rolled into further notice weren’t clear, although blocks on table could include some lower MMDS spectrum. Interest in other commercial bands as potential candidates for 3G is driven in part by findings in FCC final 3G report earlier this year that band segmentation or sharing at 2.5 GHz would be challenging. One industry source said one area of interest was 2110-2150 MHz, which has been used for services such as auxiliary broadcasting and some point-to-point offerings. Under FCC’s emerging technologies proceeding, 2110-2150 MHz and 2160-2165 MHz were identified for reallocation. Several bands that are receiving closer scrutiny by some, particularly in MMDS community, for 3G also include 1710- 1755 MHz, which already has been reallocated from govt. to nongovt. uses and wouldn’t be covered in further notice. Possibility of using MSS spectrum for 3G first came into play when New ICO CEO Craig McCaw asked FCC earlier this year to allow him to develop terrestrial spectrum using bands allocated to MSS operators (CD April 4 p1). Whether FCC ultimately grants that request or decides to take it back and auction it, “it’s pretty clear it will be used for 3G,” industry source said. In scenario in which 1710-1755 MHz, 2110-2150 and MSS spectrum was put on table for 3G, that potentially frees up 165 MHz. “Would it work exactly the way the 3G guys want it? Probably not,” another source said. Part of impetus for FCC’s interest in searching for other bands is “reaction to DoD” showing public reluctance on sharing and relocation issues, source said.
Part of lower MDS channels that may be on table -- 2150-2160 MHz -- had been raised by FCC in notice of proposed rulemaking in Jan. on spectrum options below 3 GHz for 3G. Commission sought comment on potential impact on MMDS licensees if that spectrum were relocated to other uses, even though 2150-2160 MHz wasn’t focus of agency report on 2500-2690 MHz occupied by MMDS and ITFS licensees. In 50 markets in U.S., final FCC 3G report said, Multipoint Distribution Service uses 6 MHz channels in 2150-2162 MHz. Elsewhere in country, that MDS channel is at 2156-2160 MHz. Those MDS users “could be relocated relatively easily,” industry source said.
However, wireless industry hasn’t expressed interest in MMDS spectrum at 2.5 GHz, signaling to FCC it prefers DoD-occupied 1.7 GHz and is willing to pay for relocation. Other countries in N. and S. America haven’t indicated 3G preference for 2.5 GHz, so it wouldn’t represent regional harmonization for advanced wireless services. In some Latin American countries, vicinity of 2.5 GHz already has been allocated for MMDS or there are plans to do so. “That’s not high on the radar screen for that reason,” source said. On other hand, GSM allocations elsewhere in world have been made in vicinity of 1710-1850 MHz, where DoD systems now reside, meaning U.S. wireless industry could leverage equipment purchases on handset and base station infrastructure already being manufactured for other markets, source said. That scenario would mean “the U.S. is not an island market.” One problem with scenario in which 2110-2150 MHz is specified for 3G services along with bands already turned over for commercial use such as 1710- 1755 MHz is that it involves “2 halves of different pairings” and as result doesn’t offer same economies of scale as block of spectrum harmonized with rest of world, industry source said.
Another piece of spectrum that has drawn some attention of industry as possibly fertile ground for 3G is 1910-1930 MHz, which generally is used for unlicensed services and sits in middle of PCS band at 1900 MHz. “It’s very underutilized by all accounts,” source said.
Of FCC’s apparent interest in exploring all possible spectrum options, another source said: “I think they are trying to find every bit of spectrum they can.” Unilateral decision to pursue chunk of spectrum isn’t seen as easy path for FCC to follow given level of wireless broadband services being deployed in band, particularly to some rural areas, source said. “I don’t think they want to unscramble that egg.”