GEPHARDT SAYS DoD WILL SHOP PLAN FOR VACATING 3G SPECTRUM
Dept. of Defense (DoD) is developing draft legislation that would provide funding for upgrading military communications equipment, thus allowing it to vacate some spectrum for commercial 3G applications, House Minority Leader Gephardt (D-Mo.) said Mon. Addressing Computer & Communications Industry Assn. (CCIA) 2001 Washington Caucus, Gephardt said language soon would be shopped around Hill to both authorizers and appropriators, adding: “I don’t know how successful that will be in working its way through the House and Senate.” Gephardt outlined DoD’s plans after his formal speech, but in that speech he did make passing reference to 3G spectrum: “A lot of people recently have told me we need to move the Defense Department [from some potential 3G spectrum]. That’s probably a wise thing to do.”
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For year Pentagon has been in spotlight on 1.7 GHz spectrum band it currently occupies for everything from satellite communications to ground-to-air communications with aircraft in training maneuvers. ITU has identified that as band to be used worldwide for 3G services. NTIA study that grew from Clinton Administration executive order failed to find way to resolve military’s needs with those of potential 3G operators. Most recently, House Commerce Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R- Mich.) and Rep. Pickering (R-Miss.) have been drafting bill to relocate some DoD operations and compensate military for move (CD June 18 p1).
While Gephardt didn’t give details of DoD proposal and DoD couldn’t be reached for comment, minority leader suggested that proposal might not require military to relocate any communications services to other spectrum. Rather, by upgrading military communications technology, 1.7 GHz band could be used more efficiently, Gephardt said: “It’s all about compressing, if that’s the right word.” He described approach as win/win, boosting U.S. defensive capabilities while allowing for 3G services: “I would imagine, without knowing at all, that we're dealing with some technology that is not up to date.”
One potential obstacle to congressional funding of DoD technology upgrade, Gephardt said, is Bush Administration’s support for missile defense shield, which he suggested would be extremely expensive. “We face a big challenge in trying to reform the military properly” as result, Gephardt said: “These expenses will be in competition. We'll see a giant fight over priorities in defense.”
Some technology executives at CCIA who heard Gephardt’s comments said afterward that they were hopeful 3G spectrum would be cleared in 1.7 GHz. One concern with proposal, however, was length of time it might take for military to receive funds, start and complete procurement process, implement upgrades -- all of which presumably would have to occur before spectrum could be vacated.
Pentagon spokesman declined to confirm that DoD was planning to float draft language before defense authorization and appropriations panels. “We stand ready to work with the Department of Commerce if draft language is enacted,” spokesman said. Meanwhile, 3G spectrum issues have percolated to upper levels of Bush Administration in recent weeks. White House Council of Economic Advisers and National Security Council have been meeting on near weekly basis recently to discuss 3G spectrum options, including some meetings with industry involvement, several sources said.
Gephardt’s expectation that military will float plan to congressional panels is first indication that previously rumored move “has gotten any steam,” industry source said. “It’s almost playing with fire. It’s a step toward having the Defense Department dictate how much we would pay for spectrum.” Existing legislation and pending rulemaking at NTIA ensure that military incumbents would be compensated for costs of any potential relocations and would be provided with comparable spectrum. Of particular interest to wireless industry has been way to set aside part of auction proceeds to pay for DoD relocation costs, idea that is part of draft 3G bill by Pickering and Upton (CD June 18 p1). In “present political climate” of tough decisions on how to allocate additional spectrum for 3G, any opportunity for conversation on solutions is seen as positive, source said of pending DoD plan. But source added: “I wouldn’t characterize it as an olive branch by any means.” Grant Seiffert, vp-external affairs & global policy for Telecommunications Industry Assn., called govt.-industry talks on 3G “work in progress,” likening complexity of issues to those in drawn-out discussions on Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.